August 19th 2024.
Residents and commuters in the mining town of Joda, located in Keonjhar district, were gripped with panic on Sunday. According to locals, chunks of concrete began falling from the roof of a newly-built flyover. This alarming development caused commuters to travel with extreme caution, as the fear of potential danger loomed over them. It was evident that panic had set in among the people.
Reports stated that iron rods were visibly protruding from various pillars of the flyover. In response, the local administration took action by covering these rods with plywood boards. However, it was revealed that the flyover was constructed using funds from the district Mineral Foundation. Despite a significant amount of investment, it was alleged that the construction was not up to par and sub-standard materials were used. The flyover, spanning 4.8km with 111 columns, had cost a whopping Rs 281 crore. The contract for construction was awarded to Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Ltd, but the work was eventually transferred to Gujarat-based firm Chevrox Constructions Private Ltd. The flyover was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through a video conference on March 11, 2024. During the construction process, officials from the Gujarat-based firm had boasted that the flyover would last for over 100 years.
However, just a few months after its grand opening, the reality of the situation became apparent. OBCC had initially claimed that the flyover could sustain a weight of 200 metric tonnes at a time. However, it was later discovered that there were errors in the construction, leading to the bridge being closed for a month for repair work. Unfortunately, it seems that these efforts were not enough as concrete chunks are still falling from the pillars of the flyover. The drainage pipes for rainwater have also suffered damage, resulting in mud and water frequently falling on those passing under the bridge. This has caused a significant inconvenience for the hundreds of heavy mineral and cargo-laden vehicles that cross the flyover daily.
Due to these issues, the bridge vibrates and shakes violently, causing concrete chunks to fall from the columns. This has created a sense of apprehension among the people, as they fear a major disaster may occur if proper repair work is not undertaken. Additionally, the service roads on both sides of the flyover were not constructed systematically, leading to numerous accidents. In a recent incident, three individuals, including a man and his two children, lost their lives in a road accident at one end of the flyover. It is clear that urgent action needs to be taken to ensure the safety of the people and vehicles using this flyover.
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