Kendrapara: Locals of Ostia, Nagada, Bandhapatana, Katakana and Naladia under Rajnagar block are in a piquant situation. After repeated demands, a bridge was built across the river Brahmani at Bandhapatana six years ago to provide permanent connectivity for an estimated population of 15,000 with the outside world. But in the absence of an approach road, people are forced to use an old rickety wooden bridge.
Ironically, the permanent bridge that was built to address locals’ commuting woes is of no help as they are still dependent on the dilapidated bridge. The problem is the RD department has failed to construct an approach road on either side of the bridge.
Meanwhile, hundreds of locals, students, go to their schools, colleges, hospitals, banks, tehsil, post offices and markets using the decrepit wooden bridge by risking their lives. There were several instances when children and elderly persons fell off the wooden bridge, said Rudranarayan Samal, a local of Bandhapatana.
During rainy season and high tide, water flows over the wooden bridge and people face a lot of problems. During that time, they generally remain indoors. Due to lack of proper connectivity, most villagers of Ostia, Nagada and Bandhapatana don’t avail the free ambulance service for taking the patients to the hospital, alleged Bhagabat Pradhan, another local.
If a sick person or a pregnant woman requires immediate medical attention, the family members take the patient in a sling across the wooden bridge.
“We have several times demanded before the district administration and the RD department to build approach road to the permanent bridge, but to no avail,” alleged the locals.
About a fortnight back, the locals demanded Collector Reghu G, who paid a visit to the area, to take steps for constructing approach road on both sides of the bridge. He immediately directed the officials concerned to set up approach roads but till date the work has not started.
Gunadhar Samal, assistant executive engineer of RD department, Rajnagar block, said the earth filling and the construction of approach road for the bridge is going to be started after the monsoon season.
PNN