A construction worker engaged in vibrating machine operation was injured as a span of under-construction Biju Setu over river Govari at Kahnupur of Jaleswarpur gram panchayat under Mahanga block collapsed on Saturday afternoon. The injured Ranjan Kumar Das (40) of Kendupatana has been admitted in the Mahanga Community Health Center (CHC). According to reports, masons and labourers were engaged by contractor Satya Brata Jena in concrete casting of the bridge. After the labourers casted 60 per cent concrete on the first span measuring 10.33 meters length and 7.5 meter width, the slab started sinking down due to weak centering and shuttering.
The slab then sank down to 1 metre low. When contacted, Nischintakoili RD subdivision SDO Deepak Mohanty admitted the fault of the contractor and also lacuna in departmental supervision. However, he said the contractor has been directed to break the sinking down slab and to recast again with fresh centering and shuttering. As per reports, the Nabard had sanctioned Rs 4.18 crore for construction of the Setu to facilitate road communication. Contractor Jena had started construction work in December 2013. While the Setu was scheduled to be completed by June 2015, it was yet be completed. Recently, MP Baijayanta Panda reviewed the construction work with departmental officials and asked them to maintain quality and expedite the work.
While reviewing, Panda had to face wrath of supporters of local MlA Pratap Jena as they wanted to know why he had not called Jena to the review meeting. Earlier, as many as six labourers had been injured as a span of under-construction Biju Setu over Suka Nai rivulet at Tribeniswar collapsed on April 1. The RD Department had suspended the then Assistant Engineer of Salepur RD Subdivision and a Junior Engineer of Mahanga RD Section for negligence. MP Panda has demanded probe and sought stern action against the irresponsible contractors and concerned officials.