JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today informed the House that the Rs. 41.78 crore Maitra Ramban bridge over river Chenab shall be completed by August 2026.
The deputy Chief minister was replying to a question raised by Arjun Singh Raju in the Legislative Assembly.
He said that men and machinery are being mobilized and work has been accelerated for the timely completion of the project. He informed the House that the execution of the bridge over river Chenab at Maitra Ramban, sanctioned under CRIF, was delayed, as NHAI did not allow the intersection of this bridge with the 4-lane Ramban flyover carrying fast-moving motorized traffic.
The deputy Chief minister said that the bridge has now been planned to intersect with old NH, due to which the height of the bridge is being raised by 8.5 m and span extended by 30 m to 300 m.
He added that the foundation of both the abutments has been completed while as Gantry on the Maitra side stands installed and casting is in progress. He said that on the Ramban side, pier headwork is in progress and work of casting of segment/deck slab has been started.
The deputy Chief minister said that the project has picked up pace as the contractor has mobilized men and machinery in strength. He added that against a sanctioned cost of Rs. 41.78 crore, till date, an amount of Rs. 21.10 crore has been released in favour of the contractor and the bridge is expected to be completed by August 2026.