Post News Network
Keonjhar, Feb 11: The controversy over the proposed shifting of a bridge across Kusei river at Belabhali in Anandpur subdivision, could not be sorted out at a meeting of the district administration held Wednesday. As a result, uncertainly looms large over construction of the project.
District collector Bishnu Prasad Sahu convened a meeting with residents of Belbahali as they have been strongly opposing the bridge work at the proposed place since January 29. Sources said the meeting, however, remained inconclusive.
It was decided that construction work of the bridge will be stopped till a
decision as taken by a technical
committee which will visit the site soon. The administration has urged the agitating people to refrain from agitation.
The protesters said that they will cease agitation on request from the district administration. They, however, threatened that they will take to the streets if bridge work is resumed at the proposed site. “Under no circumstances the bridge will be allowed at the proposed site. If it is taken up, the agitation will be intensified,” said Sarat Sahu, the member of Belbahali Anchalika Panchayat Surakhya Manch. National highway-215 is being expanded into four lanes and the project also entails construction of a bridge across Kusei river. The NHAI had in 2007 notified for land acquisition for the bridge and over 15,000 people of three panchayats had supported it.
But, in 2009, the authorities proposed shifting of the bridge and its direction, the agitators said, adding that the proposed bridge will result in lots of problems like submergence in several areas. Thousands of hectares of farmland will sink under water, they said.
When construction work of the proposed bridge was undertaken by Gayatri Construction company January 29, locals strongly opposed it, prompting the administration to clamp section 144 in the area to facilitate bridge work. However, the locals were steadfast in their demand and continued their dharna against the work since then. Besides the collector, SP Kabita Jalan, Anandpur MLA Mayadhar Jena and several people’s representatives, representatives of the Manch and officials of the construction company were present.