The construction of the Jira river bridge in Bargarh has been continuing at a slow pace triggering resentment among the locals. Thousands of people have been affected due to the long delay in completing the bridge works, sources said.
The Jira river bridge connects Ambapali Ward No. 17 with Bargarh Municipality. In May 2018, an old iron bridge connecting Bargarh and Ambapali over the river was dislodged as it was unsafe and foundation stone for a new flyover was laid.
The world-famous Dhanu Yatra which is observed in Bargarh is closely associated with the Jira river and Bargarh and Ambapali areas.Bargarh and Ambapali are considered as symbolic Mathuranagari and Gopapur and the Jira river as the Yamuna during the enactment of the Krishna Leela in the town.
An estimated Rs13, 57, 94 lakh has been earmarked for the construction of the river bridge. The residents of Ambapali No. 17 urban area have to walk 7 km (instead of just 100/200 meters) to reach Bargarh headquarters town by land due to lack of the bridge. Only one-third of the bridge has been completed so far.
Due to administrative negligence and lack of professional supervision, the bridge work has been utterly slow, alleged the residents. It is said that the construction work has stopped midway because the original plan prepared for the bridge has been found to be wrong. The approval of the State Government is awaited for preparation of a revised plan as well as a re-estimation of cost of the project. The world famous Bargarh Dhanu Yatra is going to be held in a few months. Consequently, people have demanded that the bridge work be fast tracked.