BALASORE: The State Government seems determined to build Panchupada bridge this time around. Though already 17 tenders have been floated for its construction, the bridge is yet to see the light of the day even after 22 years.‘Turn and Key’ system will be adopted to enable contractors tide over the problem areas, said Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro to a question of Sadar MLA Jiban Pardip Dash in the State Assembly on Saturday.The construction was delayed as the bidders didn’t agree to the specifications of the Government due to the bad sub-soil condition of the river, he said.As per the ‘Turn and Key’ system, there will be no fixed estimate for the project from the Government. The bidder will give the estimation and design for it. The lowest bidding will be awarded the work to be completed within a fixed time. “The last date of bidding has been fixed for September 19. The tender will be opened on September 23,” the Minister said.Many contractors left the work mid-way as it was difficult to construct pillars in the river due to high current and bad sub-soil. There has been no bidding for the last two years.With an initial estimate of Rs. 1.76 crore, the foundation stone of the bridge at Panchupada under Sadar block was laid on December 23, 1988 by the then Chief Minister JB Patnaik. Though it was later revised to Rs. 5.5 crore, the construction company, which was awarded the work, demanded 35 per cent hike which the government didn’t agree. The present revised cost, however, has escalated to Rs. 11 crore.Sources said, while irregularities over Rs. 76 lakh is alleged out of the used fund, a case is pending with the Vigilance Department. “While nearly Rs. 2 crore has already been spent, the visible progress is only two under-construction pillars,” said Baskar Jena, secretary of Utkal Samaj.Once completed, the bridge would serve as a vital link for at least three lakh people in three blocks - Basta, Baliapal and Bhogarai with the district headquarters by reducing at least 30 km to Baliapal.
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