Chandigarh, May 8 -- Rampant, illegal and unscientific sand mining in the Swan riverbed has caused extensive damage to critical bridge infrastructure, particularly the Algran bridge connecting Rupnagar and Hoshiarpur districts.

The Punjab government has admitted this before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) while acknowledging that the damage has disrupted connectivity for nearly 200 villages, forcing commuters to take a nearly 30-km detour through adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh.

The disclosure was made in an affidavit filed by the chief secretary on May 5 in response to an application based on media reports, highlighting the deteriorating condition of bridges in the region due to unchecked mining activities in riverbed areas.

Con...