Truck gets stuck after bridge collapses in Jharsuguda; road communication disrupted

Jharsuguda: A Hvya truck driver had a narrow escape after a bridge in Banjari Panchayat of Jharsuguda district collapsed on Saturday night. However, the chips ladden truck got stuck between the concrete bridge before it was pulled out with the help of a JCB machine after several hours of operation.

Road communication between Banjari and Grindola panchayats of Jharsuguda and Sundergarh districts respectively has been cut off following the incident.

Sources said the bridge was constructed by the Mahanadi Coalfield Limited (MCL) some 20 years back for coal transportation. Later, it was handed over to the Works department for maintenance. Local residents alleged that the bridge collapsed due to substandard construction work.

As no district administration officials reached the spot to take stock of the situation, resentment was brewing among the locals who were demanding urgent measures for restoring road connectivity.

The stranded truck was later recovered from the bridge with the help of a JCB machine till the last report was filed.