Berhampur: The residents in Niladripur village at Palibandh panchayat in Ganjam district are constructing a wooden bridge over Saheb canal, a practice started several years ago during monsoon season.
“Every alternate year, the villagers build a wooden bridge over the canal since the govt could not fulfil our long-standing demand for the construction of a concrete bridge,” sarpanch Bidyadhar Pradhan said.“We have spent around Rs 1.50 lakh for purchasing wooden logs and other materials for constructing the bridge,” a villager said.
“As the old wooden bridge was in a dilapidated condition, the new bridge, which will be around 40m-long, is being built. It will be completed in the next 3-4 days,” Pradhan added.
The canal which connects Chilika Lake with Rushikulya river flows through the village between two streets. “Children cannot cross the canal to go to school, especially during rains,” Pradhan said.
Sarmistha Pradhan, chairperson of Ganjam panchayat samiti, said, “The issue of constructing a bridge was discussed during the samiti meeting. The samiti had recommended the rural development department for constructing one.”
Sambit Kumar Jena, assistant executive engineer (rural development), Chhatrapur said they had submitted a proposal for the construction of a bridge in the village last year. “We submitted a fresh proposal to the government last month upon Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak’s direction. Now the proposal is pending with government.”
The villagers had renewed their demand for a bridge before Nayak during his recent visit to the hamlet.

We also published the following articles recently