Bathinda, Oct 12: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday inaugurated a 1.1-km railway over bridge (RoB) at Rampura Phul, Bathinda, built at a cost of ₹56 crore, calling it a long-pending demand of the town’s residents.
Addressing a gathering after the event, Mann said the issue had been neglected by successive state governments. “The local legislators had a priority to promote their family members in politics and remained cut off from the issues of the masses,” he noted, citing former MLAs Sikander Singh Maluka of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Gurpreet Singh Kangar of Congress, who represented the constituency for almost two decades and served as ministers.
Highlighting his government’s focus on fulfilling pre-poll promises, Mann said, “The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is introducing several schemes and projects to improve health, education and civic amenities across the state.”
Mann also criticised previous regimes for corruption and alleged links with drug dealers. “When our government put senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in jail, leaders from the opposition, including Captain Amarinder Singh, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Charanjit Singh Channi and Ravneet Singh Bittu, collaborated to oppose the arrest,” he said. He further alleged that SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal misused gurdwara funds for flood victims while claiming them as party or family business money.
Earlier in the day, Mann attended the regional youth festival at SD College, Barnala, where he urged students to draw inspiration from revolutionary icons such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Recalling his college days, he said, “Youth festivals helped me excel in life as an artist and now as a politician. The youth must use these platforms for their comprehensive growth and development.”
Mann, who performed in and won various college competitions, told students that hard work and humility were key to success. “The youth must stay grounded and believe in hard work. Confidence and a positive approach should be basic traits, but there should be no pride in it,” he added.
The chief minister said his government was working to provide jobs while also creating opportunities for the youth to channelise their energy. “As runways at airports help an aeroplane take off smoothly, in the same manner the state government is helping youth realise their dreams,” he said.
Mann also praised Barnala’s rich literary heritage, naming luminaries such as Sant Ram Udasi, Ram Sarup Ankhi, Om Parkash Gasso, Balwant Gargi, Sewa Singh Thikriwala, and Megh Raj Mittar. He lauded SD College for its contribution to nurturing students who have achieved success globally and shaping the future of young Punjabis.
