The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had begun construction of the proposed Belbahali bridge over river Kusei in Keonjhar district despite strong public protest from November 17.
local villagers tried to stop construction of the approach road confronting the police force.
After a clash between the police and the villagers on Friday, 22 platoons of police force have cordoned the construction site to prevent any protesters entering into it.
Keonjhar SP Rajesh Pandit and Collector N Thirumala Naik have also kept a close watch on any possible violence at the worksite. The construction work continued on Saturday.
The police attack on the agitators last Friday has spread fear among the villagers, many of whom have fled away fearing arrest.
Although the bridge construction has begun, a law and order situation may arise in future unless a peaceful solution is sought out between the villagers and NHAI authorities.