Bridge near Chermaria yet to be completed, 80 villages affected

Berhampur: Residents of 80 villages are a worried lot due to the inordinate delay in completion of a bridge near Chermaria in Ganjam district.

Ganesh B., a resident of Nuapalli, said, “Work is being done slowly. Had it been completed on time, it would have benefited people of so many villages.”

Jhunu Gouda, a villager of Mantapada, said, “At present, we have to follow a circuitous route via Aska, if we are going to the other side.”

Meanwhile, officials of the contract organisation involved in the bridge construction said work is on in full swing.

Prakash Chandra Rana, supervisor of the contract organisation, said, “As earlier water level at Chermaria was high, we could only initiate works on two sides of the bridge. But now we have expedited after water level has receded.”

The bridge is being constructed at a cost of Rs 20 crore.

However, Aska legislator Debraj Mohanty emphatically said the bridge will be completed in next two years.

Mohanty stated, “I am in touch with the Works department officials and the contractor and they have assured me that the work will be over in two years.”