Samjajpur bridge to be thrown open for traffic by Sept first week

Puri: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today said vehicular traffic on the Samajajpur over bridge, suspended since July after cracks were noticed on it, will be allowed by the first week of September.

Regional Officer of the NHAI Dharmananda Sadangi said, “The work is a specialised one and no competent agencies are available in Odisha to carry out this kind of work. After dispensing with the services of the company, which was contracted for the bridge work earlier, we have asked them to work afresh on the bridge. The company is taking time to complete the work as it is involved in other projects elsewhere also.”

Notably, vehicular traffic on the Samjajpur bridge was suspended after cracks developed in it making it dangerous for people to drive on the over bridge constructed as part of infrastructure development for the Nabakalebara Yatra last year.

A resident of Puri said, “Despite spending Rs 600 crore to build the railway over bridge, cracks have developed and damages have been seen. Besides, the temporary approach road built at a cost of Rs 22 lakh on either sides of the bridge are in a pathetic condition. It is better not to talk about the sufferings of travellers.”

Meanwhile, a review meeting under the chairmanship of Puri legislator Maheswar Mohanty was held in the pilgrim city to discuss the railway over bridge and drainage work. Central Range Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Dr AB Ota and Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal attended the meeting.