Temporary bridge to connect Jajpur

BHUBANESWAR: With the main link to the district headquarters town of Jajpur being cut off after the collapse of Rudhia bridge on Budha river in the recent floods, the Government on Monday instructed the Works department to explore the possibility of building a temporary military bridge on the river.As construction of a new bridge will take more than a year, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed the Works department to develop a fair-weather road on the river bed as soon as water level recedes. He asked the department to examine the feasibility of building a temporary steel girder bridge used during emergency situation by the Army to facilitate traffic.The Baruan-Jajpur road is the only alternative route available for vehicular movement to the district headquarters town. The town was cut off from the rest of the State during the recent floods as the Baruan-Jajpur road was submerged under flood water for nearly a week.The Chief Minister further directed the department to ensure that the new bridge is constructed before the next monsoon. The 100-year-old bridge on the Budha river was washed away by the recent floods in the Baitarani river system. Naveen reviewed the post-flood restoration work and health services in the affected areas.Works Secretary Suvendu Ray told the meeting that all, except Singhipur-Kandia road, have been restored. The recent floods breached 60 roads managed by the department. Another bridge at Sathipur, connecting Jajpur town, was badly damaged by flood water, he said.Health Secretary Anu Garg told the meeting that 18 cases of diarrhoea were reported from Paradip, which was not affected by the recent floods.Though the flood water entered the ground floor of the Government hospital at Bari, 14 deliveries were conducted on the first floor of the hospital with the help of generators, she said, adding that the babies and their mothers are fine.After visiting the flood-affected areas of Kendrapara district on Monday, the Health Secretary said all the hospitals have started functioning normally.Meanwhile, the Government gave its commitment to the inter-ministerial team for utilisation of Rs 1,208 crore in repair and restoration works within the stipulated 45 days, Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said.