Sarang Brhamani Bridge connecting Angul and Dhenkanal districts is now in a bad shape. This was built in the 1960s when Biju Patnaik was Chief Minister.

The bridge connects major parts of Dhenkanal and Angul. This road is the main route to Keonjhar, Jajpur and Sundergarh. However, of late, the traffic rush on the bridge has increased due to industrialization in the two districts.

While Angul is an industry and mines hub, over 50 industries are in Dhenkanal. This is the main route for these industries to procure raw material and supply products. Due to plying of a large number of vehicles, the condition of the bridge has gone worse.

The NHAI is the maintenance authority of the road and bridge. As per sources, nearly `3-4 crore is spent per year by the NHAI for maintenance of the route. But too many potholes on the road speak for themselves. The road has been a death trap, causing many serious accidents.

Though complaints have been lodged many times for repair of the bridge and road, they have just fallen in deaf ear of the authorities. Crores of rupees spent by both the Central and the State Governments in the name of road construction seem to have gone to gutters.

Meanwhile, Soochana Kranti, a citizen’s helpline forum, which had filed a petition before both the Collectors of Angul and Dhenkanal demanding immediate repair of the bridge, began a strike on Friday near the Sarang bridge. Both supporters from Angul and Dhenkanal blocked the entire bridge. The agitators were headed by Soochana Kranti coordinator Debaranjan Samal, Jibanjoyti Garnayak and Debaprasad Sahoo.

Senior official of NHAI RK Parida rushed to the spot for discussion in presence of Deputy Collector Talcher Daridrya Bhanjan Madan Mohan Patra, Kamakhyanagar SDPO Saikh Abdul Karim, Parjang Tehsildar lalit Kumar Behera, Talcher IIC Kailash Chandra Acharya, and other officials. NHAI assured to start repairing work from soon. later, the blockade was lifted.