Malkangiri: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday officially opened the Gurupriya bridge across River Janbai here to the public. Besides, the CM announced a Rs 100-crore package for the development of the Maoist-hit area that the bridge has linked to the mainstream after about five decades of isolation. The inaugural event was held amid unprecedented security as the area is Maoist-affected. The inauguration of the bridge was initially scheduled July 18 but was postponed due to inclement weather.
“It is not just a bridge, it will be the identity and pride of Malkangiri. I dedicate this special project to people of Odisha and India. At the core of development is connectivity. Gurupriya bridge is a national asset and symbolises peace, cooperation and progress,” the CM said.
Naveen said the bridge would give the “Bicchinanchala” (cut off area) a new identity as “Swabhiman Anchala”. “It is a testimony to our commitment to integrate all parts of Odisha to mainland and thereby to prosperity. It is our dream come true and the Bridge Of Progress,” he said.
On Twitter, the CM remarked: “Gurupriya Setu signifies a resurgent#Odisha, will transform lives in 151 villages that were cut off for 5 decades. It is not just a bridge, it will be the identity & Swabhiman of #Malkangiri. I dedicate this special project of #Odisha and India #Jai Jagannath.”
The Chief Minister also appealed to Left-wing extremists in the region “to forsake violence and embrace progress that the bridge brings to the region”. “Peace is essential for development,” he said.
The bridge project, which cost Rs 187.25 crore, will connect 151 villages in Chitrakonda block, which had remained encircled by water on three sides after construction of reservoirs at Machhkund in 1960s and Balimela in 1980s. About 30,000 people are expected to benefit from the opening of the bridge.
Besides connecting the villages, the bridge gives security personnel tackling the Maoist menace tactical advantage over the rebels, officials said.
It is also expected that the bridge will help expedite development of the area. The development package the CM has declared is to be utilised for the construction of roads, bridges, development of health and education facilities. “I will personally look after the development of the 151 villages on the other side of Janbai river,” the CM said.
Under the package, over 5 crore fry are to be released into the Chitrakonda reservoir, which will provide livelihood for about 2,000 fishermen. Two road projects will be taken up to improve communication between Jodaamba and Panasput panchayats in the district.
Besides, a 33/11 KV power substation will be constructed at Badapatha. Also, 100 borewells and four piped drinking water supply projects will be undertaken for Badapada and Pepermetla Panchayats. This apart, a bridge will be inaugurated in Manyamkonda Panchayat to improve road connectivity
in the area. Similar projects will also come up in Poteru, Pangam, Kangurukonda, MV-90, Undurukonda and MV- 37 in the district.
The inauguration of the bridge was being opposed by the Congress. Party leader and former MP Pradip Majhi had said that the BJD, during its 18-year rule, had done nothing for the people, especially the tribals of Malkangiri district. Against this backdrop, the police detained five Congress workers from Malkangiri to prevent any untoward incident during Chitrakonda Bandh called by the party.
The plan to construct the Gurupriya bridge was initiated in 1986 under then chief minister Janaki Ballabh Patnaik but could not be executed owing to the remoteness of the location, inaccessibility, and the presence of Maoists, among other things. He had laid foundation stone for the bridge in 1982.
However, no one came forward to take part in the bidding process attempted by the state and central governments, mainly owing to technical challenges the site presented. Construction was very difficult there as, from the total span of 910 metres, the depth of water for a stretch 240 metres ranged from 70 to 90 feet, officials said.
Naveen had to lay stone for the project afresh in 2000. Work eventually started in full swing in 2014 and was completed in four years.
The 910-metre-long bridge and 1,200-metre approach roads on either side have been built by a Kolkata-based firm. The structure is guarded by the Border Security Force on either end.
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