Broken Budhabalanga bridge in Odisha poses a threat to travelers

Baripada: The alleged lax attitude of the Public Works Department (PWD) of Baripada circle in Mayurbhanj district has raised concerns over the safety of the old bridge over the Budhabalanga river, whose protective walls have collapsed. While last August, one barricade had collapsed, another collapsed two days ago, causing concern among commuters.

Located near Madhuban under Baripada Municipality, this bridge plays an important role in providing communication facility to the people of Udala, Kaptipada, Shamakhunta, Betnoti, Badsahi of Mayurbhanj district as well as Nilgiris of Balasore district and neighboring West Bengal and Jharkhand. Plays.

After persistent demand from residents of Baripada town, the state government allocated funds for the construction of an alternative bridge in 2017, but it has not been completed yet. Meanwhile, the condition of the old bridge has deteriorated due to lack of regular maintenance by the PWD.
At least two retaining walls have collapsed, posing a threat to passengers. The wall, which collapsed last August, was repaired by locals using bamboo strips as a temporary measure. The other wall had collapsed two days ago. Due to the poor condition of the barricading, fear has spread among those crossing the bridge. Even during the recent rains, some villagers of Poda Astiya volunteered to clean the bridge to deal with the problem of stagnant water as the Public Works Department did not pay attention to it.

Santosh Kumar Singh of Poda Asita village, Dinesh Majhi of Rangamatia village and Bhabagrahi Sejpoda of Saharsahi area of Baripada expressed regret over the neglect of the bridge by the concerned department. “It is risky for passengers and vehicle operators to walk on the bridge as two barricades have been broken,” he said.
A senior official of PWD, Baripada circle, on condition of anonymity, said that he would visit the spot and take necessary initiatives for the restoration of both the barricades.