Jajpur: The stir demanding a thorough repair of the Brahmani Bridge on Expressway-53 in Dharmasala block here intensified Tuesday with the students of Mukundpur College joining the protest.
The students conducted a postcard movement in which residents penned their demands on 500 postcards and submitted them to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for action Tuesday.
The stir disrupted traffic on the bridge and hundreds of vehicles got stranded for over two hours on the route.
The protest led by Sarojkanta Behera, convener of Jajpur Sachetan Nagarik Manch, expressing dissatisfaction on the incomplete repairing work started with a rally from Mukudpur College comprising students to the bridge. After that they staged a demonstration there.
The protesters shouted slogans against the state government and the National Highway Authority of India. They warned that they would intensify their stir if repairs do not get completed by July 8.
The protesters said the incomplete repair is endangering the public on the 60-year old bridge which is considered the lifeline of Jajpur district. The agitators demanded a second Brahmani bridge and a four lane road.
Sources said thousands of pedestrians and hundreds of heavy vehicles travel daily through the bridge. It also serves as a link to the Kalinganagar Industrial Complex which houses some major industries. However, the bridge has become rickety and is endangering the lives of the public.
The district administration has done little to repair the bridge despite being aware of its shaky condition. The administration also has ignored demands to repair the bridge. The NHAI has also remained equally apathetic despite earning crores as revenue every year.
PNN
