Rourkela: All speculations over placement of work order for construction of the second Brahmani bridge here ended Tuesday after the tender opening of the project by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) at New Delhi.
Of eight firms that submitted their bids, GKC Project Limited, a Hyderabad-based company, has been awarded the contract. The firm quoted about 20 per cent less than the estimated value finalised by NHAI.
NHAI had estimated the cost at Rs 476.56 crore for 480 metre-long bridge across Brahmani but GKC’s price bid was Rs 381.75 crore, which was found less than other bidders.
The bridge will have six lanes while the approach road connecting Biramitrapur will be of four lanes, it was learnt.
Local MLA Dilip Ray three days back raised questions over the work order when he visited the foundation stone laying site. He demanded the work order from NHAI before the laying of the foundation stone.
The MLA now thanked Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari for placing the work order ahead of the foundation stone laying programme.
On the other hand, preparation for the programme, to be held July 21, is in full swing at Rooptola playground in Balughat. Apart from Gadkari, Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior NHAI officials are likely to arrive at Rourkela airport at about 11 am on the day of the programme. NHAI authorities are making arrangements to accommodate more than 10,000 people on the ground.
While all MPs and MLAs of Sundargarh would be invited to the programme, there is no information whether Chief Minister and other ministers would be requested to be part of the function.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the city in April 2014, had announced the construction of the second bridge across Brahmani as the first one was in miserable state.
However, the Centre drew flak from several quarters including Ray over inordinate delay in starting the project. PNN
