BJD ups ante against Centre over 2nd Brahmani bridge

ROURKELA: Amid inordinate delay over the emotive issues of construction of the second Brahmani bridge at Rourkela and upgradation of the RSP-run Ispat General Hospital (IGH), the ruling BJD staged a rally here at Panposh Square on Sunday. The BJD also slammed the Centre’s neglect towards Sundargarh district.

The protest was organised with an aim at cornering Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. “The existing Brahmani bridge is the lifeline of Rourkela city. But, it is weakening. In April 2015, Modi had announced the construction of the second Brahmani bridge at the earliest.

On July 21, the foundation for the bridge was laid. Though Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had then announced to start the work in 15 days, there hasn’t been any progress so far,” BJD’s Sundargarh district working president and Rourkela Development Authority Chairman Sarada Prasad Nayak said.

The BJD declared that it would intensify the agitation across the district to mobilise public opinion against the Centre.

Nayak insisted that though the mineral-rich district contributes hugely to the Central exchequer, subsequent governments at the Centre had never been sincere towards its development.

The BJD leader also claimed that Modi had announced the upgradation of the IGH of RSP into a superspeciality hospital and medical college. However, even after 31 months after the announcement was made, no visible progress has been made.

Nayak said though Modi expanded RSP of 4.5 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA), it had not been able to produce steel beyond 3.6 MTPA so far.