Zirakpur: The menace of stray dogs on a partially damaged bridge at Baltana has added to the woes of commuters in the area. The bridge suffered heavy damage during the last rains when both its ends were washed away. However, the administration and Zirakpur Municipal Council are yet to take up the repair work. Pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, including school children, are facing the most trouble as the railings on both sides of the bridge have collapsed. Moreover, mud and garbage are strewn on the broken bridge, inviting stray cattle and dogs, posing further danger to pedestrians. Notably, two stray dogs reportedly came close to attacking children going to school on Friday morning.
“Children walking on foot have to cross the damaged bridge twice every day. The railings are broken and the road is filled with mud and garbage. Baljeet Sachdeva, a resident of Baltana, criticised the municipal corporation officials, saying, “Imagine the plight of these children as stray dogs and cattle roam around the area on a daily basis.” Meanwhile, municipal council officials said that the repair work of the bridge will be started soon. The bridge was repaired at a cost of Rs 48 lakh after it was damaged during monsoon last year. However, the Baltana bridge was again severely damaged due to heavy rains on August 12 as the swollen Sukhna Choi river crossed the bridge with full force. The railings on both sides of the bridge collapsed and three to four feet deep potholes were formed due to erosion on both ends.
