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Malkangiri: In a bid to provide foolproof security ahead of the Gurupriya bridge inauguration in remote Malkangiri district, IG Operations RP Koche on Friday, took stock of the existing security measures by visiting the construction site.
The much awaited Gurupriya project has always remained on Maoist radar.
Koche held discussions with senior officials of Border Security Force (BSF) on streamlining security measures for Gurupriya bridge as Maoists have threatened to blow it up.
The Gurupriya bridge will serve as a ‘lifeline’ for the cut-off areas of Malkangiri district once it is opened for use.
As the bridge is expected to usher in development in the remote and inaccessible terrains of the district, it is now on the Maoist radar, informed sources.
Though the Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified patrolling and the district administration is maintaining strict vigil through CCTV cameras, senior officials of Odisha police are also gearing up to augment resources for ensuring safety of the project.
The 910-metre-long bridge will connect nearly nine panchayats in the cut-off areas benefiting about 30,000 people, sources said. The foundation stone for the bridge was laid in 1982 by the then chief minister, JB Patnaik and again by chief minister Naveen Patnaik in 2000.
At present, BSF has set up two camps while there are plans to set up more along the entire stretch of the bridge to keep vigil round the clock.
Once the bridge is thrown open for public use, it will facilitate district administration officials to extend all the welfare projects including electricity and drinking water facilities which have been eluding the residents of the inaccessible parts in the district.
