Finally, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that work has begun to construct four bridges over the Sidhwan Canal on the Laddowal bypass here. They stated that it would help alleviate significant traffic congestion in the busy South City area, which is becoming a hotspot for the food, recreation, and tourism industry. The NHAI mentioned that the development was significant as the project had been awaiting approval for some time. They added that Rajya Sabha MP from Ludhiana, Sanjeev Arora, had recently urged NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav to give the green signal to the project. Arora, who reviewed the progress of the NHAI project with Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik and the NHAI officials concerned, informed The Tribune on Tuesday that, as per the in-principle approval received from the NHAI headquarters in March, the local office had floated the tender, inviting bids from interested firms to construct four bridges over the Sidhwan Canal at an estimated cost of Rs 190 million. He stated that nine bids had been received, which were being examined, and the most eligible one would be awarded the project within the next fortnight. According to Arora, following the NHAI nod, a feasibility and alignment survey had been conducted to prepare the detailed project report. Based on that, tenders were floated to award the work. Arora said, The bridges would help decongest the South City area, which is dotted with heavy traffic flow. He added that the project would also help improve road safety and convenience of commuters on national highways covered under the project. Arora mentioned that the NHAI Chairman had kept his word of giving approval to the construction of the four bridges over the Sidhwan Canal, a request Arora had made during his recent meeting with him. Arora said, I had apprised the NHAI Chairman that construction of the four bridges across the Sidhwan Canal towards South City in Ludhiana was yet to see the light of day, for which the application was pending with the NHAI for long. Arora thanked Yadav for approving the project. He had informed the NHAI Chairman that Ludhiana, being one of the biggest industrial cities in the country with over 5 million population, was facing chaotic traffic conditions due to the pending projects. The MP had requested him to direct the officials concerned to speed up the pending projects in and around Ludhiana. While appreciating the work being done, he had drawn the NHAI Chairman's attention to matters that needed immediate intervention. He had told Yadav that the traffic situation within the MC limits of Ludhiana was in bad shape due to the ongoing NHAI projects passing through the city, causing a nightmare for commuters. Arora said, Frequent and long traffic jams are making citizens lose their temper as it takes a long time to commute between the office and home. He requested the NHAI Chairman to take stock of the situation and take necessary initiatives for speedy work at the earliest possible to ease out the traffic situation. He said, All assurances of the NHAI Chairman have come true, while recounting that the Sherpur Chowk railway overbridge (ROB) had already been opened for traffic in March after its construction was completed. Additionally, the ongoing work on the elevated road project had been expedited to meet the completion target of June. Also Read Mumbai to build Bowstring Bridge to connect coastal roadNitin Gadkari reviews progress of Kaziranga Elevated Road project