Joda: Construction of the flyover bridge and its service road at Joda town in Keonjhar district is moving at a snail’s pace with no promptitude being shown to complete the works at an early date and throw the bridge open for public use.
Doubts are being raised whether works on the project will be completed within the targeted period. On the other hand, people in Joda town having a population of 55,000 and its periphery areas are having a harrowing time as the service road and drains are yet to be completed. During rain, the service road gets filled with muck and slush making it difficult for people and vehicles to negotiate on the route.
Sources said that the stateowned Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Ltd (OBCC) has issued the work order for construction of the three-km long four-lane flyover bridge to a private consultancy agency Chevrox.
Construction of the flyover bridge has started from 2020 but the service road and drains on both sides are yet to be completed as mining and industrial firms have dug up slurry pipelines affecting the construction works. Moreover, construction of five concrete columns of the flyover bridge has been delayed. Incomplete works of Suna river bridge have also delayed the completion of the flyover.
The flyover has been targeted for completion by December 2023. However, with its works moving at a snail’s pace the construction of the service road passing through this town has remained incomplete.
The consultancy agency clarified that the delay was due to movement of vehicles. Taking cognizance of the matter, the district administration has banned the plying of heavy vehicles. However, the consultancy agency is yet to expedite the project works.
OBCC junior engineer Dhaneswar Majhi said that works on the flyover bridge has been delayed due to delays in drain construction and Suna river bridge. The project may miss the set deadline which is likely to extend by another three months. Sources said any extension in the deadline will lead to a corresponding increase in the plan outlay and estimates for the flyover.
HR official Bhagirathi Panda of the consultancy agency said works on the flyover bridge is being carried out in three shifts and every effort is being made to finish the project within the deadline.
PNN