Malkangiri: For years, thousands of people in more than 30 villages under Korukunda and Sadar blocks in the district have been suffering from commuting owes in the absence of a bridge across Tamasa river. Why? Because it has been four years that a Rs3.47-crore-worth bridge project is about to be completed.
They travel across the river daily in rickety country boats, risking their lives and facing a lot of hardships, a report said.
According to the report, people of some villages of Sikhapalli, Gorakhunta and Badali, Poteru panchayats have to go to Pitakata weekly market and the block headquarters. They alleged that the real ordeal they face is during the monsoon when the river is in spate and boats are to be ferried in choppy waters.
In view of the commuting woes of the people, the government has undertaken a bridge project at a cost of over Rs3.47 crore March 30, 2016.
“Its work was started four years ago, but it has not been completed till date,” lamented a local.
The absence of proper transport facilities has forced us to travel across the river on boats overloaded with bikes and people on a daily basis, it was observed.
In rainy season, accidents happen and people have drowned in the past while being ferried.
“We have a constant fear of drowning. But with no other option we have been dependent on this for years,” a local said.
Some locals blamed official apathy and the contractor for the delay in completion of the bridge project. A contractor has given the work to another contractor on sub-contract basis, it was reported.
Locals pointed out that there is no timeline for its completion as mentioned on the information plaque. The work is very slow and of poor quality, they alleged.
The view of the executive engineer of the road and building department could not be registered.
However, locals have demanded that the department concerned should expedite the work of the bridge project to eradicate their commuting woes which has been continuing over years.
PNN