Construction of the proposed Rudhia bridge over river Baitarani, which would connect NH-5 and Jajpur Road to Jajpur, would be completed before July 31, 2015, said Panikoili R&B Executive Engineer Tara Prasad Mishra.
Earlier, the bridge was scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2014. A total of Rs Rs 23.17 crore would be spent for its construction.Notably, the old Rudhia bridge constructed during British period was washed away in the flood water a few years back. The bridge itself was lifeline between industrial city Kalinganagar and District Headquarters Jajpur.
Mishra said a steel guarder bridge on the river would be erected July-end for the movement of vehicles now. The new bridge will be 35 metre in length and 7.5 metre wide and will stand on 13 pillars. The bridge work has been allotted to the Rajalaxmi Construction.Stating that the old bridge caved in due to hollowness on its base area caused by sand excavation by mafias, Mishra said the district Collector has banned sand removing from the proposed bridge site.