May 26th 2024.
The small city of Rourkela has been eagerly awaiting the construction of a new bridge over the Deo river. This bridge, once completed, will bring about significant change and development, much like the Jhirpani bridge located just 300 meters away. However, despite the anticipation and the availability of funds, the bridge project remains at a standstill due to the government's neglect and lack of action towards addressing the land compensation issue.
Sources reveal that the administration has already been allocated a whopping Rs 1 crore for the project. It was back in 2018 when the decision to build this bridge was made, with the aim to connect the Mitkundri and Lahanda areas. The Deo river may be small, but it plays a crucial role as a source of water for a vast stretch of land and its inhabitants. The bridge was a long-awaited solution to improve connectivity in this fertile region.
Unfortunately, the compensation for just 52 decimal land has become the main obstacle to the progress of this much-needed bridge. If the administration had fulfilled their promise to provide compensation to the landowners, the construction work would have commenced by now. However, the promised date of March 10 has passed, and it is already the end of May, with no signs of any progress.
Last October, the villagers near the construction site staged a month-long protest, with the support of political leaders from all parties. Despite this show of concern and pressure, the administration failed to take any action. The landowners were even called to Sundargarh and assured that they would receive their dues by March 10. However, the announcement of the general elections on March 17 and the subsequent implementation of the model code of conduct delayed the compensation process.
Now, the frustrated landowners have threatened to not allow any construction activity until they receive their dues. It is worth noting that the land in question, belonging to Durga Oram, is only 52 decimal and should have been compensated over two months ago, as promised by the administration, before the model code of conduct came into effect.
The construction of the bridge began in 2019, with the tender process and award of work completed in 2018. However, due to the pandemic in 2020, the work was halted and only resumed in August 2021. As of now, five pillars have been erected, and slabs have been laid on four of them. The only remaining pillar, located on the Lahanda side, has been left incomplete due to the ongoing compensation issue.
It is disheartening to see such a crucial project being halted due to the apathy and inaction of the government. The people of Rourkela deserve better, and it is high time for the administration to fulfill its promises and prioritize the needs of the public. The completion of this bridge will not only bring about development but also improve the lives of those living in the surrounding areas.
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