Bhubaneswar: At an impressive ceremony on Wednesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dedicated to the nation the state’s longest bridge, and named it after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The 2.88km bridge over River Kathajodi, a distributary of Mahanadi, will connect the state capital Bhubaneswar with neighbouring commercial city, Cuttack.
The event was held near the Judicial Academy at CDA in the afternoon prior to the inauguration of the bridge. The bridge reduces the distance between the two cities by 12km by road. The much-awaited inauguration brought cheer on the faces of the two cities.
Addressing the function, the chief minister said, “Cuttack is the birthplace of great freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Bose. His patriotism is incomparable. I am delighted to name the state’s longest bridge after Netaji.” “This will usher in a new era in the twin city, by reducing the distance and commuting time. It will stand as a symbol of our constant efforts towards development of modern infrastructure for growth and progress of the state and our people,” Patnaik said.
The CM said, “This bridge will be marked as an important milestone in the infrastructural development of the state. Orissa remained far ahead in comparison to other developing states. I am grateful to the residents of Cuttack, Banki and Trisulia for their cooperation for the project.”
Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal thanked the CM for this historic feat. “Another bridge is being constructed at Chahata at a cost of `145crore with aid from Nabard. Once the bridge is completed, it will ease the communication difficulties of the residents of this district,” Biswal added.
The bridge is 2,815 metres long and 14 metres wide. It is the first three-lane bridge in the state having a two-way road and walkways for pedestrians on the both sides. A sum of `114crore has been spent for construction of the bridge. Although the work started after Patnaik laid the foundation in February, 2011, it missed the deadline for completion by over three years. The work was completed June 7 this year. Hyderabad-based construction firm HES Infrastructure Pvt Ltd carried out the work.
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