Under-construction bridge of Khurda Road-Balangir railway line collapses

Boudh: A major portion of an under-construction road under bridge (RuB) caved in near Purumunda village of Khaliapali Panchayat under Boudh block late last night.

The RuB of the under-construction railway line connecting Purunapani in Manamunda and Lunibahal, collapsed when the construction was underway last night. A major mishap was averted as no injury or casualty was reported in the incident.

Construction of the railway track, which is  a part of the much-awaited Khurda Road-Balangir railway line, is underway in full swing.

Following the mishap, locals alleged that the under-construction RuB collapsed due to substandard work, holding the local administration and the contractor responsible for it.

Meanwhile, residents of Purumunda have expressed their discontentment over construction the RuB as the connecting road passes through a school. They alleged that though they have raised the issue before the local administration, no step has been taken in this regard yet.

“The bridge will pose a major threat to the lives of students in future as the connecting road passes  through a school. We have been opposing its construction at the location since long, but all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” said Dhanusar Meher, a local.