lakhs of people of Basta, Baliapal and Baleswar Sadar areas are now an assured lot as work for the much-awaited Panchupada bridge, which would connect these areas, has begun for the second time after 25 years. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the bridge for the second time in February, 2014 before the General Elections.
On Friday, the local MlA along a team led by PWD Executive Engineer BK lenka visited the site to review the progress of work assigned to a Haryana-based company. “A Haryana-based private company has been awarded the tender. Construction work of five pillars and the approach road are underway. The progressing is satisfactory. The project will be completed by next year,” said Balewar MlA Jiban Pradip Dash, the MlA Balasore said”
The first foundation stone for the proposed bridge had been laid on December 13, 1988 by the then Chief Minister JB Patnaik. Then the bridge work had been started with an estimated cost of Rs1.76 crore. While only two pillars had been partly constructed, irregularities of around Rs76 lakh were alleged.
The project came under the scanner of the Vigilance and since then the work had been stopped. “Now, the estimated project cost stands at Rs21 crore which would be borne by the State Government with loan assistance from the Nabard. The bridge is targeted to be completed within two years,” said PWD Executive Engineer lenka.