Hussainiwala Bridge reopens after decades

FEROZEPUR: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday inaugurated a strategically-important, 280-foot-long bridge at Hussainiwala which had been blown up to stop Pakistan's advance during the 1971 war.
The bridge is on the Old Ferozepur-Lahore Highway and goes over the Satluj. It has four spans and connects Ferozepur to Hussainiwala Barrage. So far, the 10 villages which had been hit by the bridge's demolition had been using a Bailey bridge to cross over the river.

The Border Roads Organisation's Project Chetak was entrusted with the task of constructing the bridge. At the inauguration, Sitharama dedicated the structure to the nation.

She said the permanent bridge at Hussainiwala Barrage would not only help Indian armed forces, but the local populace too. She described Hussainiwala as a historic and sacred place of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and many other war heroes.

Sitharama said it was her honour and privilege to inaugurate this historic bridge, and it would bring in development for Punjab and the people of Ferozepur.

"It will promote regional prosperity, business, agriculture and better movement of Army vehicles, ammunition and logistics," she said.

The defence minister arrived at Ferozepur in the morning, and was accompanied by Wester Command GOC-in-C Lt Gen Surinder Singh and BRO director general Lt Gen Harpal Singh. Vajra Corps commander Lt Gen Dushyant Singh received her at the helipad and Project Chetak chief engineer Brigadier Ripu Soodan welcomed her to the new bridge and informed her about its technical and construction details.

Punjab sports minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, Ferozepur division commissioner Sumer Singh Gurzar, IGP Gurinder Singh, deputy commissioner Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal and SSP Pritam Singh were also present.

The defence minister later visited Hussainiwala memorial to pay homage to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, and laid wreaths.