MALKANGIRI: Construction work on the much-awaited 910-metre long Gurupriya bridge project over Janbai river in Malkangiri district, is nearing completion.The Rs 172 crore bridge, hailed as the the dream project of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, will connect the cut-off areas of Chitrakonda Reservoir,
Kolkata-based Royal Infraconstru Limited, which is executing the project, has already completed the laying of all 136 piles, 21 piers and most importantly, two abutments at the ends of the bridge span on which the superstructure rests. Of the total length, deck slab casting on 620-metre stretch of the bridge has also been completed, claimed project manager of the company Niranjan Kumar.
“Of the total 48 pre-stressed concrete girders, 45 have already been erected and work on the remaining three is underway. Fifteen of the total 18 steel girders, to be erected in the deep water zone from P11 to P17, have arrived at the site from Raipur. While six steel girders have already been erected, work on three is in progress. Construction of the remaining nine girders will follow soon,” Kumar said.
He further informed that all three pre-stressed concrete girders, which had collapsed due to heavy wind pressure, have been replaced with new ones. This apart, work on the 1,250-metre approach road on Papermetla side of Gurupriya bridge is in full swing, he added.
The firm’s project coordinator Ushnish Dutta said, “We are trying to complete the bridge work at the earliest for the benefit of people besides adhering to the company’s core principle of maintaining quality and durability.’’Budu Hantal of Papermetla village expressed satisfaction over the pace of work and said, “We are confident that our decade long wait for the bridge will be over soon.’’