Historic Lal Bridge in Pandoh to be rebuilt at ₹23.64 crore; Himachal minister Vikramaditya Singh secures approval from Centre

MANDI: The much-awaited reconstruction of Pandoh’s historic Lal Bridge in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh is finally set to begin, bringing a major relief to thousands of residents who had been struggling with connectivity issues since the bridge was washed away in the 2023 floods.

In an exclusive conversation with The Newz Radar, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh revealed that the project had been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) at a cost of ₹23.64 crore.

The 110-metre-long double-lane bridge will be constructed two metres higher than the previous structure to safeguard against future disasters.

Vikramaditya plays pivotal role in project’s approval

PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh played a pivotal role in securing this crucial approval, ensuring that the concerns of Pandoh residents were heard at the highest levels.

He disclosed that the approval process was not straightforward as the proposal had been submitted under three different schemes — Bharat Setu Yojana, PMGSY and the Valley Bridge Scheme.

While the project did not get clearance under Bharat Setu Yojana, it was successfully approved under PMGSY-3 after persistent follow-ups and detailed representations to the central government.
“The collapse of the Lal Bridge severely impacted the lives of people in Pandoh and nearby areas.

Understanding their hardship, I made continuous efforts to get the necessary approvals. The project has finally been sanctioned and I assure the people that the construction will begin soon and will be completed within the stipulated timeframe,” Vikramaditya Singh told The Newz Radar.

Major relief for 12 panchayats

The destruction of the 100-year-old Lal Bridge had left residents of 12 panchayats struggling with daily commutes, forcing them to take an 8-km-long detour to reach their destinations.

The reconstruction of the bridge will restore seamless connectivity between Drang Assembly constituency and Pandoh market, reducing travel time and improving economic activity in the region.

Minister shares updates on Facebook, public expresses gratitude

Keeping the public informed, Vikramaditya Singh also shared the details of the Lal Bridge reconstruction on his official Facebook handle, where the announcement was met with overwhelming appreciation.

Locals have expressed gratitude for his proactive approach and commitment to infrastructure development, hailing his efforts in ensuring the project’s approval despite bureaucratic hurdles.

Tenders to be floated soon, construction to begin shortly

According to Vinod Sharma, Executive Engineer of the Thalout PWD division, the formal approval had been granted and the department was now preparing to float tenders for the project. Once awarded, the construction work will begin without delay.

Munish Sood