A Rs 2.56-billion three-lane high-level bridge will be constructed over the Chambal River in Rajasthan, significantly strengthening connectivity between Kota and Bundi districts. The bridge will come up near Gothda village in the Etawa region, linking Chambal Dhibri in Kota district with Chandna Khurd in Bundi district. The project has received clearance from the National Board for Wildlife, paving the way for long-pending execution.The Public Works Department has issued a tender for construction, while a gazette notification for land acquisition has also been released. The bridge was first announced nearly four years ago, but progress was stalled due to pending approvals from the Forest Department. Following intervention by Om Birla, Lok Sabha Speaker, the project has now secured the required environmental clearance.The bridge will be constructed on the Indragarh–Lalitpur State Highway-120, passing through the Chambal-Gharial Sanctuary. The project has been approved by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife. Construction will begin once the land acquisition process is formally completed by the department.Once operational, the bridge is expected to benefit large parts of the Etawa and Piplda regions of Kota district, along with neighbouring Baran district. It will also be the first three-lane bridge in the Etawa region, improving traffic flow and reducing travel time across the Chambal.The new link will enable smoother travel from Baran, Piplda, and Kota towards Delhi via the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, with direct access available at the Lakheri and Indragarh interchanges. Residents of Lakheri and Indragarh in Bundi district will also find it easier to travel to Kota.Connectivity to Jaipur is also expected to improve with the new route. Officials said the full land acquisition amount has been transferred to the competent authorities, including the SDMs of Etawa in Kota district and Khandar in Sawai Madhopur district. Around 3.95 hectares of land is being acquired on the Etawa side and 2.55 hectares on the Khandar side, with nearly 25 per cent of the acquisition process already completed.News source: Patrika