Even as the Central and State Governments advocate that road communication can bring development in the tribals-dominated areas, frequent collapsing of the under-construction Gurupriya Bridge connecting to the cutoff Chitrokonda area in Malkangiri district seems to have brought to fore the lack of seriousness of the State Government as regards to it claim.
The Gurupriya Setu is vital for the development of Chitrakonda region. But due to inferior quality work and embezzlement of funds, this bridge has collapsed twice, alleged Dakhin Odisha Unnayan Parishad (DOUP) convenor Rabi Rath.
The Chief Minister, who holds the Works Department portfolio, the Works Secretary and the departmental engineers are fully responsible for the weak bridge work, Rath alleged further.
It might be mentioned here that three decades ago the bridge was estimated to be built at a cost Rs 52 crore. But due to reticent attitude and negligence of the concerned authorities, the construction work of the bridge was delayed and the estimated cost has increased to Rs 172 crore now.
Rath said two pillars of the bridge were collapsed in 2016 and the same has recurred with two more pillars collapsing on July 24, 2017. This shows the true picture of the State Government’s development, ridiculed Rath.
The work of the 910-metre long and 7.5 metre wide bridge undertaken by the Royal Infrastructure would provide communication system to 151 villages in the cut-off region. But frequent collapsing of pillars has marred the dreams of the villagers, he added.
Due to the careless attitude and PC culture, the bridge work is disrupted.