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A perennial problem

BERHAMPUR: Road communication between Bhanjanagar and Bhubaneswar gets snapped for at least ten times during monsoon every year due to submergence of a bridge on the river Badanadi near Ghumusar Nuagaon in Ganjam district.

The bridge remained submerged by the floodwater of the river for 14 hours till 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The height of floodwater over the bridge was more than six feet. For the localites of the area like N.Pradhan it has become a regular phenomenon during rainy season since past few years. After a long stretch of rain, people from adjoining villages come out to enjoy the sight of floodwater flowing over the bridge and the long queue of vehicles stranded on their way to Bhubaneswar.

The low height of the bridge is to be blamed for it. Added to it, this bridge is also located at a low- lying area. A retired engineer of the area, Prafulla Chandra Pradhan also attributes large-scale sand deposition by the river near the bridge for its submergence during the continuous rain. According to him, rain of around 24 hours in Bhanjanagar area can bring in enough water in the small Badanadi river to keep the bridge submerged for more than six hours. Badanadi river is fed with water from the Kalinga ghat area nearby. So, with continuous rain caused by low pressure this bridge becomes first victim of the Badanadi river. And every year this region encounters at least ten spells of continuous rain for over 24 hours.

Mr. Pradhan said the only way to solve this problem is to have another bridge on the river at higher spot. Construction of this bridge has been an election issue in Bhanjanagar area since past many years.

According to sources a proposal to have a bridge at a higher spot on the river to replace the old bridge is at its planning stage. It is expected to be built up at a cost of more Rs. 9 crores with financial help from NABARD.

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