--Ex-Rourkela MLA Ray urges CM to reconsider : While expressing his gratitude to the Government of Odisha for sanctioning Rs 14.5 crore for the development and beautification of the Vedvyas Dham, former Rourkela MLA Dilip Ray expressed his disappointment as no provision has been made in the proposed project for a hanging bridge.

Writing a letter to the Chief Minister, Ray mentioned that during the Maha Shivaratri and Shravan Mela every year when the Vedvyas Dham witnesses a huge rush of devotees from all parts of the district, especially Rourkela, visitors need to cross the old bridge and then take a U-turn to reach the temple. The residents of the city and adjoining tribal dominated areas therefore have been long demanding for the construction of a hanging bridge which would make it easier for the devotees to visit the temple by cutting short the travel time along with shortening the distance.

In 2015 while Ray was MLA, Rourkela, upon his several requests, a sum of Rs 12 crore was sanctioned from the Union Tribal Ministry based on a survey and preliminary estimates by the Rural Works Department, Odisha. But the project languished due to delay in approval from the higher authorities and quite unfortunately the funds eventually got diverted and the project could not see the light of the day.

That is why Ray sincerely requested the CM to consider making a provision for a handing bridge in the proposed development project of Vedvyas Dham by sanctioning additional funds.

On the other hand, Vedvas Pitha Vikash Manch joint convenor Bibhuti Bhusan Das said during the visit of the 5T Secretary to the city in March, 2023,  the committee members had met him and apprised him about the necessity of the hanging bridge.

 In course of time a high-level committee had visited the spot to assess the technical feasibility of the project and the team had a very encouraging opinion on the project. The committee has submitted the report to the Government for necessary approval.

"It is a question of time. The Vedvyas Pitha Vikash Manch is very much hopeful on the project. If required the forum will again approach the 5T Secretary and CMO for early approval of the project," added Das.