Naveen writes to Nitin Gadkari for early completion of four- lane bridge over NH 520

Bhubaneswar, Nov 26: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today wrote to Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari seeking his intervention in delay in execution of four- lane bridge over Kanupur Spill Channel of Rimuli-Roxy-Rajamunda Section of NH 215 (New NH 520) by NHAI. “ Government of Odisha has undertaken construction of Kanupur Irrigation project , a major irrigation project over River Baitarani in the state of Odisha which will create an irrigation potential of 29578 ha in the tribal dominated Keonjhar district.The project is being funded by Central assistance under AIBP. The construction works for the project has been started since 2004-05, and yet to be completed because of various problems. At present we have completed major headwork components except the earth dam in the river gap and five blocks of the spillway. These left-over components are suspended temporarily because of the fact that a 315m long 4-lane bridge is to be constructed over the spill channel at Km 173.325 of Rimuli-Roxy-Rajamunda Section of NH215 (New NH 520) by NHAI. The NH runs parallel to the 3460m long earth dam in this portion and the above-mentioned bridge remains a major bottleneck in completion of the balance components,” read the letter. The CM further wrote that NHAI did not take up the work on its own after several meetings and correspondence at different levels, construction of the bridge came to the scope of Kanupur Project Authority after obtaining the consent of NHAI. “ Since Government at present is taking all out steps for the early completion of Kanupur Irrigation Project and is committed to economic upliftment of the tribal community by providing irrigation to the agricultural fields, completion of the bridge carries a lot of importance not only to us but also, I am sure, to Central Government. I would, therefore, request for your intervention in the matter in providing an early solution to the issue. Any delay would lead to further cost escalation of the project and loss of benefit it is intended for,” added the letter.