The New Indian Express, Aug 18, 2007
BHAWANIPATNA: While Hati river bridge is being ravaged by continuous floods over the years, a proposal to construct a high bridge at Junagarh is pending since long. Also several other dilapidated bridges over NH-201 in Kalahandi are matter of concern for local populace.
Hati is used as the main discharge channel of the Indravati irrigation system. After generation of power, water is discharged into Hati through Mangalpur barrage and finally the water reaches Tel river. Thus Hati and Tel rivers have become perennial. Heavy rain in the catchments causes flood in Hati leading to inundation of the roadlevel bridge at Junagarh and disruption of vehicular traffic along NH-201. It is a regular feature.
Even a total washout of the bridge cannot be ruled out. It was proposed during 1991-92 to transfer the then PWD road from Jaipatna to Kesinga to Indravati Project so that the road, including the high bridge over Hati, could be constructed.
However, it could not be materialised. This bridge is now the responsibility of NHAI. The proposal for construction of a high bridge is pending before the Centre since 2002.
MECON Limited was awarded with consultancy work and it submitted the detailed project report (DPR) in 2004 to the Ministry. Executive Engineer (NH) Surendra Purohit said the land acquisition estimate of Rs 5.41 crore was sanctioned by Ministry in December, 2006, and land acquisition process has been started. After land acquisition, the bridge work will be taken up, he said.
Apart from Hati bridge, there are at least six narrow guarder bridges on NH 201 which are at least 70-year-old and are in dilapidated condition.
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