State delaying Brahmani bridge construction: Jual

Sundargarh MP and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, while speaking to the media on Thursday blamed the State Government for the delay in the second  Brahmani bridge project and claimed that the preparation for the construction work of the second Brahmani bridge is absolutely ready and getting delayed due to non-availability of clearance from the State.

Oram also claimed that if the State Government does not give necessary clearance for construction of the approach roads, the BJP will stage an agitation.

"I had a detailed discussion with the Project Director of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and authorities of the GKC Construction, which has been awarded the bridge construction job recently," Oram said.

“According to contractor and the NHAI, they are absolutely ready for the construction work and some earth work has already been started at the proposed site of the bridge from Thursday, but due to non availability of the approach road from Balughat way bridge to bridge site, delay is caused," Oram said, adding, “I urge the State Government to provide necessary clearance at the earliest, so that the bridge construction work can be taken up speedily.”

Oram warned that if the State Government delays the process, the BJP would stage a demonstration in front of the Rourkela ADM office. He criticised both the BJD and the Congress for unnecessarily directing their ire against the BJP over of the delay in the project.

He also claimed that the proposal of upgradation of IGH to a super speciality hospital has been under process and an initial grant of Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned by the Union Government for this purpose.

On the contrary, Oram also launched a scathing attack at CM Naveen Patnaik for inordinate delays in construction of a few projects for which the foundation stones were laid by Patnaik.

"Naveen Pattnaik had laid foundation stone of a barrage cum bridge over Koel and also for a wholesale market complex at Balughat area of the city, before 2014 general elections, which have not yet been started. Besides, the Hi-Tech Medical College Hospital project at Rourkela, which was developed with the initiative of State Government, also has not come in use of general public," Oram told.