Rourkela: The bridge planned to be built across the Deo river in Rourkela is a classic example of the government agencies’ apathetic attitude towards public causes. The said bridge is regarded as a game changer in the offing for the area like the Jhirpani bridge, which is located just 300 metres away.
But for the compensation of just 52 decimal land, the entire bridge work is in suspended animation. According to sources the sanctioned fund worth over Rs 1 crore is already with the administration.
In 2018, it was decided that a bridge will be built over the Deo river, a tributary of Koel, to connect the Mitkundri and Lahanda areas. Despite being a small river, it is an important water body as it is the lifeline for a large tract of land and also the people residing there. The bridge was a long-standing plan so that connectivity will be improved in some of the most fertile patches of land here.
Had the administration given the compensation to the land owners, the bridge work, which has been holding fire, would have got a push. The administration had promised that they would complete this process by March 10. However, work is yet to start even as it’s already the end of May.
The villagers had staged a demonstration for over a month near the construction site last October. Following the demonstration which was supported by political leaders of all hues, little concern was showed by the administration. The land owners were invited to Sundargarh and were assured that all their dues would be given by March 10. The dates for the general elections were declared March 17 and the model code of conduct came into effect.
Now the land owners have threatened that they would not allow any construction activity. Interestingly, the land belonging legally to Durga Oram is only 52 decimal, which would have been compensated, as per the promise of the administration, over two months back before the MCC came into force.
The work on the bridge began in 2019 for which the tender process and award of work was over in 2018. During the pandemic in 2020, the work was completely stopped and again started in August 2021. So far, five pillars have been erected and the slabs have been laid on four. Only one pillar is left on which the slab would be laid, which is on the Lahanda side where work has been stopped owing to the compensation issue.
PNN