Gearing up for smooth ride: new bridge puts highway in fast lane

The Jajmau bridge was built during the British rule. Over the years,the population increased,vehicles increased and long traffic jams became a daily phenomenon. Thus,the narrow bridge became inadequate,turning the small stretch into a motorists’ nightmare.

“Thrice a week I go to Lucknow where my parents live,and every time I dread the thought of crossing this bridge. You don’t know how long you will be trapped there,” says Tariq Siddiqui,industrialist.

Siddiqui says the new bridge will be the best gift of 2010 for users of this highway. “One-way traffic on each bridge will end long traffic snarls,save precious time and fuel,and save drivers daily hardships,” he adds.

The new bridge worth Rs 160 crore will be 720 metres in length and 7.5 metres in width. Union Minister of State for Coal Sriprakash Jaiswal,who represents Kanpur,had taken the initiative for the project,which was approved by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2004. While the NHAI was appointed the nodal agency for the project,Gammon India Limited was given the construction work.

Work on the project began the same year,but it ran into trouble. Clearing of a huge mound on the riverbank which had been occupied by squatters,and encroachments on the approach road from Kanpur became a headache.

“Had the mound and the encroachers been removed,the project would have been completed long ago,” says project manager Shiv Shankar,adding that 80 per cent of the work has been done and the bridge will be ready by June 2010.

Jaiswal holds the laidback attitude of the district authorities responsible for the delay. “It is one of the most important routes of the state to central India,and the district authorities should have been more alert,” he says. “Thankfully,miseries of motorists will now end.”

Widening of the approach road on both sides of the bridge has already been completed. So,gear up for a smooth ride next year.