MALKANGIRI: Completion of Rs 172 crore mega Gurupriya bridge construction is likely to get delayed as the water continues to flow at a height of more than RL 458 metre, which is six metres more than the required level of 452 metre. This has affected the capping of piles and pier erection works.
Kolkata-based Royal Infraconstru Limited, which has been given the contract to complete the work, is facing challenges in completing the construction. “High water level in Chitrakonda reservoir at the construction site is leading to delay in undertaking pile capping work at a time when the work is on in full swing,” said Project Manager Niranjan Kumar. Man, machineries and resources are ready to expedite the work once the water level starts receding, he added. Kumar said, only 40 mm water is receding a day and if the trend continues, it will take three more months for the water level to touch 452 metres forcing us to wait till March.
The company is also facing difficulties in making cash payment to the daily wagers after demonetisation. Due to restriction on withdrawals we are getting less cash from Malkangiri and Chitrakonda branches of State Bank of India, Kumar said.
The Chitrakonda branch has increased the weekly payment from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh on our request but that too is not sufficient as we require Rs 2.5 lakh a week to make payments, he added.
The Gurupriya bridge can not be completed within the deadline of June 2017 as announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik without his intervention, sources in works department said.