Sambalpur: With 95 per cent work of the much-awaited bridge across river Ib having been done, inhabitants of Sambalpur and Jharsuguda, the two districts which are going to get connected by this bridge, are looking forward to the project’s completion.
The construction work commenced March 14, 2014 at Rengali at a cost of Rs 117.49 crore. Though the project was scheduled to be completed by September 18, 2016, due to some unavoidable circumstances, it got delayed by about a year.
The people of both the districts are going to be benefited by this bridge.
Students from many parts of western Orissa including Jharsuguda study in Sambalpur, which is considered the educational hub of the region.
“Hundreds of students of Jharsuguda pursue higher studies in Sambalpur district. In the absence of a bridge across Ib they have to travel an extra distance of 70/80 km to reach Sambalpur. The bridge would definitely lessen the travel time and distance,” observed Minerva Mishra, a resident of Rengali.
The 2.5 km long bridge connects Mahanadi Coalfield in Jharsuguda with State Highway 10 in Sambalpur. The bridge will go a long way in developing commercial and cultural linkage between the districts.
In the absence of the bridge, people, particularly patients of Jharsuguda were having a tough time in getting medical facilities at Sambalpur.
Farmers of Jharsuguda are also going to get benefited by the project, said Santosh Singh of Rengali.
According to sources, the remaining 5 per cent work of the project would be completed this month and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would dedicate the project to the people. PNN
