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Malkangiri: The delay in completion of construction work for the much awaited Gurupriya bridge has now led to severe resentment among the people of cutoff areas in Malkangiri district.
The people in these areas will now have to wait for more time as the works department has failed to complete the works as per its previous September deadline.
Authorities on the other hand claim that the construction activities got delayed after three girders placed above 10 and 11 number pier had collapsed in the month of July.
“We are eagerly waiting for the bridge work to complete . But the pace in which work is being done we have little hope of it being completed,” said Dhanpati Khila, a local resident.
At present, over 80 percent work has been completed while the remaining 20 percent is expected to be over by next month. However, keeping in view the slow pace of the construction work, residents are doubtful over the new deadline fixed by the authorities.
“We have targeted to complete the works by December as already the construction of culverts and two approach roads are done. The delay is mostly due to fluctuation in the water-level of the reservoir and rains,” said Executive Engineer, Works Department, Arun Sahu.
Out of the total 22 slabs, work on 15 have been completed and three steel girder are pending.
Also Read: Probe into collapse of portions of Gurupriya bridge begins
Also Read: Gurupriya Bridge to complete by September: RD Minister
The foundation stone for the bridge was laid in 1982 by the then chief minister JB Patnaik and again by CM Naveen Patnaik in 2000.
The bridge at Gurupriya would provide connectivity to the cut-off area housing 30,000 tribal people living in 151 villages.
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