Jharsuguda : The long-standing demand for the construction of a new IB bridge, which serves as the crucial link between Jharsuguda and Lakhanpur, as well as Chhattisgarh on National Highway 49 (NH-49), has finally received approval from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. This decision marks a significant milestone for the region, addressing concerns over the dilapidated condition of the existing bridge.
According to a letter received from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the bridge will soon be constructed, ensuring a safer and more reliable connection for commuters and heavy vehicles travelling on this critical route. The announcement follows a letter written by Suresh Pujari, Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, to Union Minister of Road and Transport, Nitin Gadkari, on August 9, 2024. In his letter, Pujari emphasized the urgent need for a new bridge, citing the unsafe conditions of the current 60-year-old structure.
Pujari, who previously served as a Member of Parliament from Bargarh, highlighted that the bridge over River IB on NH-49 (formerly NH-200) is a key passage for heavy traffic, including approximately 800 trucks and tippers transporting coal from the MCL collieries in Lakhanpur, Brajrajnagar, and the Orient area. These vehicles use the bridge daily to reach the Biju Expressway and navigate to various parts of Odisha and beyond. The deteriorating condition of the bridge has caused growing concerns among local residents, who have long demanded its replacement.
The NHAI Bhubaneswar office submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) along with compliance to objections and observations on July 24, 2024. The proposal was pending at the government level, with requests for prompt action to sanction the project and allocate funds for the bridge’s construction.
With the letter of approval received, the new three-lane standalone bridge over the IB River at the Kanaktora-Jharsuguda section of NH-49 will be constructed under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode. The total cost of the project is estimated at ₹55.43 crore.
Following the announcement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jharsuguda district unit expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari, for approving the bridge’s construction. District President Sunil Panda, along with other senior leaders including Chakanand Sa, Prem Sen Rai, Bimalendu Bhol, Raghunandan Panda, Naval Agarwal, Samal Naik, Alok Kumar Sahu, and Sanjay, acknowledged the government’s support in addressing the longstanding demand of the local population.
