Bhadrak: A bridge shown as constructed in government record is yet to be traced at its location across ‘Jo’, a tributary of Genguti River under Dhamnagar block in this district, a report said.
Not finding the bridge at the location mentioned in the government documents, locals have taken up the matter with the administration.
Though five days have passed since the Drainage Department assured the villagers that its official would identify the bridge, none has turned up. Sources said, the government documents show that a bridge was constructed at Padmapokhari-Bhagabanpur at a cost of Rs 7, 33, 295 over ‘Jo’ River four years ago.
Quoting sources at the Drainage Department, villagers said that it had floated a tender after proper estimation and got the bridge constructed between December 30, 2014 and March 24, 2015.
Locals have been demanding for a foot bridge connecting Bhagabanpur and Padmapokhari villages over ‘Jo’ for better communication between the two villages.
Hospital, school, panchayat office and cooperative society office are on the side of Bhagabanpur. In the absence of a bridge, people of Padmapokhari area face a lot of difficulties and problems to go to the other side of the river to avail of the facilities and to get ration items, particularly in rainy season.
When the officials concerned were contacted over the villagers’ allegation, they said they would visit the site to show the bridge to the villagers.
“The bridge has been constructed. The name of the place might have been wrongly mentioned as a different one. We will make an investigation,” said executive engineer, Drainage Department, Anand Chandra Sahu.
Villagers have urged an early investigation as they suspect the money meant for the bridge has been misappropriated or siphoned off through forged documents.
PNN
