Nilagiri: A four-decade-old bridge which was built on a tributary of Sona River collapsed Wednesday under Begunia panchayat of Nilagiri block in Balasore distict, reports said Thursday. As per reports, the bridge caved in following incessant rain and as a result, road communication to Begunia, Totapada, and Sansapal villages has been completely halted. Residents of as many as 25 villages who were dependent on the bridge will now have to travel 15 km more distance to reach their workplaces and to take their children to schools. The plight of these villagers has suddenly aggravated after the collapse of the bridge. As the bridge comes under the Rural Development department, locals demanded that the government should immediately focus on the issue and re-construct the bridge as soon as possible. Local MLA Sukanta Kumar Nayak visited the spot and discussed the communication woes of the locals with the district administration.
Incidentally, the MLA after realising the dilapidated condition of the bridge had earlier requested the government to renovate or reconstruct a new bridge on the rivulet some days ago. The project has also been approved by the state government August 21 and a DPR is being made, said the MLA. After completion of the formalities, the tender process will be completed and the construction work on the bridge will start by the Rural Works department, the MLA said.