The Baupur island of 16 villages in Mand area, also known as ‘Sri Lanka of Punjab’ was connected with the mainland after 180-metre bridge was opened for public.
Though the SAD-BJP Government had laid foundation stones twice since 2011 but the work on this project were started in 2018 on the 549th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev.
Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Navtej Singh Cheema termed the bridge as a game changer, saying, “It would help around 8,000 people get rid of social stigma being faced by them since decades.”
The residents of island villages (Sri Lanka of Punjab) were earlier connected with the Pontoon bridge which was the only way to reach out these villages, resulting in hardship for students, farmers and others.
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.
“I will request the Punjab Government to further connect Sultanpur Lodhi to Tarn Taran via this bridge as it will cut short 30km distance between these two religious cities,” said Cheema. Pertinently, more than 5000 farmers having 30,000 acre land will also be the major beneficiaries.
