Sans inauguration, Gurupriya Bridge opens for public

Malkangiri: The much-awaited Gurupriya Bridge in Malkangiri was opened for public use today ahead of its inauguration by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. However, heavy vehicles have not been allowed to ply on the bridge.

The 910-metre-long bridge will connect nearly nine panchayats in the cut-off areas of Malkangiri, benefiting about 30,000 people.

Project Director of construction company, Royal Infrastructure, Niranjan Kumar said "The construction work has been completed and right now only light vehicles are being allowed to ply on the road. Inauguration ceremony is yet to take place."

"Earlier we used to travel on boats but now this bridge has changed our lives. Travel has become very convenient now," a local resident said.

Junior engineer, Suresh Chandra Mishra said "Incessant rains have increased the water level and that is the reason why we have allowed commuters to use the bridge."

Earlier yesterday, administration sources revealed that inauguration of the bridge which was scheduled to be done by CM Naveen Patnaik on July 18 was postponed for an indefinite period due to bad weather.