Anandapur: The construction of a new bridge on Baitarani river here in Keonjhar district moved a step ahead following the completion of the tender process, a report said.
A private consultancy firm Rajveer Construction Private Ltd was awarded the Rs 79 crore project.
A letter (5072, dated—07.06.2023) issued by Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Ltd (OBCC) said that two firms Rajveer Construction Private Ltd and Iron Triangle Ltd had participated in the tender process, but the project was decided in favour of the former.
This has spread cheer among the residents as they wait with baited breath for the start of the project.
The old bridge over the Baitarani river which connects the State Highway-53 and National Highway-20 is in a dilapidated state. It is apprehended that the situation might spin out of control anytime soon given the condition of the bridge.
A team of officials took stock of the old bridge and recommended a new one in its place and subsequently a tender was floated. With the number of heavy vehicles passing on the bridge increasing day by day, the new project was a bare necessity, senior officials said.
The bridge developed snags after a bearing slipped from one of its spanners in 2019. Later, it was repaired thrice between 2019 and 2023 with cost exceeding Rs 1 crore.
However, the tender process never had a smooth sail as the deadline was extended on several occasions. At the outset the roads and buildings department was to construct the bridge but later the task was handed over to OBCC Ltd.
The OBCC in a letter (1062, dated February 2, 2023) floated a tender inviting bids to reach its office by February 28, 2023. Later, the state-owned company in a fresh letter (1885, dated- March 4, 2023) again extended the last date for receiving the bids to March 9, 2023.
The OBCC again in a letter (2761, dated- March 31, 2023) asked the bidders to submit their bids online between March 14, 2023, and April 3, 2023. The last date for submission of tender was again changed to April 17, 2023 and finally to April 27, 2023.
PNN