LUDHIANA: Giving partial relief to the residents, the Municipal Corporation (
MC) on Saturday evening opened one side of the Gill Chowk flyover for commuters coming towards the city.
Mayor Balkar Sandhu had visited the flyover to review the ongoing work, however, councillors and Congress leaders present on the occasion started demanding its opening. Amid all the drama, Sandhu ordered the opening of the flyover, which was scheduled for re-opening on Sunday.
Congress leaders, including Parminder Soma, had brought a JCB machine with them for the removal of the wall constructed to stop people from using the flyover. While half of the wall has been demolished, the remaining part will be removed once heavy vehicles are allowed to pass using the flyover.
The flyover had been closed for traffic on May 13 after a portion of its retaining wall had collapsed. Ever since the residents and commuters were had been at the mercy of constant honking and traffic snarls near the stretch.
Sandhu said on Saturday that the MC had planned for a Sunday opening, but party leaders and the residents demanded an immediate opening in the evening itself. The flyover has been opened on
public demand, he said.
Meanwhile, buses were seen taking the flyover, even though there is a ban on the movement of buses from the flyover.
Daily commuter Manish Sharma said, “The flyover is a lifeline for the daily traffic and it remained shut for more than 40 days keeping the commuters on their toes. There will be complete relief once the other side will also be opened.”
Representative image