Bhubaneswar: The Union Transport Ministry has approved a pedestrian underpass on Bhadrak-Balasore National Highway-16 section at Goudani Pokhari and a foot over bridge (FOB) and culvert at Agria village under Balasore-Baripada-Jharpokharia section of National Highway-18.
Informing the development, Union MoS (MSME) Pratap Sarangi thanked Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for approving the projects.
“Profoundly thank Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari ji for considering my requests and approving a pedestrian underpass having crossroad in village Goudani Pokhari on Bhadrak- Balasore section of NH 16. He also approved in principle a foot over bridge for pedestrian traffic and culvert for drainage improvement at Agria village under Balasore- Baripada- Jharpokharia section of NH- 18,” Sarangi tweeted.
“Grateful to the Minister on behalf of the people for approving these by changing the scope of existing work,” he added.
Gadkari in two separate letters to Sarangi has informed about the approval of the projects.
“I have got the matter examined and wish to intimate you that the village Gaudani Pokhari is located at KM.180.450 on Bhadrak-Balasore section of NH-16, the widening to 6-laning of which is already awarded to M/s. Brij Gopal Construction Co. Pvt. Ltd. on Hybrid Annuity Mode. I am glad to inform you that a Pedestrian Underpass (PUP) of size 12 m x 3.50 m has been approved at Km.180.450 having cross road in village Goudani Pokhari under Change of Scope,” the minister stated.
It is also stated that in the scope of work, there is already a provision for construction of Pedestrian Underpass at Km.179.500 near village Chaunia, which is at distance of 950 m from the village Goudani Pokhari, he added.
The Concessionaire has already started the execution of structure work and it is expected to complete the same within four months after the ensuing lockdown due to Covid-19. On completion of the aforesaid PUPs, crossing facilities nearby to the villages will be in place.
He also informed that the location, where the provision of FOB or underpass is demanded, falls on the project stretch 4-laning of Balasore-Baripada-Jharpokharia section of NH-18, the work is in advance stage of completion. I am glad to inform you that as requested by you, crossing facility to the Pedestrian traffic of Agria village by means of construction of Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at km 61.900 and improvement of drainage of the area by providing a culvert at km 62.200 have been approved in-principle as Change of Scope to the existing contract).
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
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