The vision of establishing road connectivity in inaccessible remote areas is to be realised with construction of bailey bridges. The project planned during this financial year has gained wide acceptance among people, official sources said.
The field-level operations for construction of bridges have been undertaken in these remote areas.
A high-level review meeting in this regard was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra at the State Secretariat on Saturday, which was attended by concerned departmental officials.
The Chief Secretary directed the implementing agencies to expedite the works and complete the projects before the coming rains. The agencies were asked to submit the details of project milestones with month-wise breakups. Engineer-in-Chief, Rural Works, PK Pradhan said it has been targeted to complete at least 65 bridges by July.
The Chief Secretary asked the department to construct more such bridges in coming years and keep the project proposals ready well in advance. The Panchyati Raj Department has proposed 506 bridges, SC & ST Development Department 179 projects and district Collectors 121 projects.
The Kolkata-based Garden Reach Builders & Engineers ltd, through field surveys in difficult areas, has identified 65 locations requiring construction of such bridges.
The Chief Secretary directed the department to prioritise the bridges on the basis of the population served and take up those in phases over three consecutive years. It was revealed that considering the inaccessibility of some remote areas and difficulties of the construction of conventional RCC bridges there, the Chief Secretary had earlier directed to construct bailey bridges in those areas. It was also decided to bring in Central PSUs and professional agencies for quick implementation of the projects.
The maximum length of a bridge undertaken in this phase has been reported at 120 meter. An agreement has already been signed with the Central PSU Bridge & Roof Co ltd India for construction of 41 bridges in Rayagada district and eight bridges in Gajapati with a budget estimate of `90.31 crore.
The Garden Reach Ship Builders Engineers has been assigned with construction of 23 bridges, including 19 in Koraput and four in Malkangiri at a cost of `63.25 crore. It was decided to have convergence of different similar schemes for completion of these bridges with approach roads.
The total financial requirement for these bridges has been estimated at `163.31 crore to be provided in 20013-14 and 20014-15.