The Baupur island of 16 villages in Mand area, also known as ‘Sri Lanka’ of Punjab has been connected with the mainland after 180-metre bridge was opened for public on Wednesday.

Tribune News Service

Sultanpur Lodhi, Dec 23

The Baupur island of 16 villages in Mand area, also known as ‘Sri Lanka’ of Punjab has been connected with the mainland after 180-metre bridge was opened for public on Wednesday.

Though the SAD-BJP government had laid foundation stones twice, but the work on this project started in 2018 under the Congress on the 549th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev.

Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Navtej Singh Cheema termed the bridge as a game changer. He said it would help around 8,000 people get rid of social stigma being faced by them since decades.

Thanking Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for this project, the MLA said it was a matter of great satisfaction that it had become a reality. “We will request the Punjab Government to further connect Sultanpur Lodhi to Tarn Taran via this bridge as it will reduce distance by 30 km between these two religious cities,” said Cheema.

Harnam Singh (61), a resident, said, “I almost spent my life struggling to reach the city for day-to-day jobs. Now, there is a sigh of relief that at least our children will not have to face such hardships.”

Residents of island villages, including Baupur Jadid, Baupur Kadim, Sangra, Mand Mubarakpur, Ram-Thepur Guara, Bhaini Kadar Baksh, Mand Sangra, Kishanpur Gatka, Muhamdabad, Bhaini Bahadur, Mand Dhunda, Mand Bhimlald Jadid and Alamkhanwala have benefitted from the bridge.

Moreover, around 5,000 farmers having 30,000 acres will also be major beneficiaries. SDM Dr Charumita, DSP Sarvan Singh, SDO Balbir Singh, Sultanpur MC chief MC Lodhi Ashok Mogla and chairman market committee Parvinder Singh, were also present.