The NHAI authorities have initiated a process for widening of 68-km stretch of the NH-49 from Jharsuguda Prasanna Panda Chowk to Kanak Tura near Chhattisgarh border.
In addition, the trial for the construction of the second bridge on the Ib river has also been started with soil testing. The responsibility has been given to a private company, named Mark Tuan.
The feasibility report will be completed within a month. On receipt of the alignment study report, the DPR will be prepared and the tender process will be initiated by the end of December, NHAI sources said.
This existing bridge is now in very rickety and risky condition and is swaying due to the movement of tipper trucks loaded with coal, apart from general human traffic. As the State's industries are connected to Chhattisgarh by means of road, people of both the States depend on the bridge for supply of raw materials and transport of manufactured products. Due to the lack of four lane provisions of the NH, many accidents are taking place daily. In some places, accidents are taking place due to construction errors.