SUKMA: IT took 11 years and 13 tenders issued repeatedly amid Maoist threat to accomplish the construction of a desperately needed bridge over river Shabri in the worst Naxal-affected district of
Sukma in Chhattisgarh.
As one drives on the 8.5 metre wide new bridge built at a height of 17 metres from the water level, the impression of being in an area dominated by Left-wing extremism disappears.
Entering the bridge from Dornapal in Chhattisgarh, one has to travel just half-a-kilometre to cross over to Podia in Odisha. “The bridge built by the Chhattisgarh government is on the border of the two states. It will connect over 200 villages of Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
directly," Sukma collector Neeraj Kumar Bansod told New Indian Express.
Residents near the bridge said, “Usually 500-600 people pass over the bridge everyday." Earlier, boats used to ferry the people across the river along with their bicycles or motorbikes.
It was in March 2006 that Chief Minister Raman Singh laid the foundation stone of the bridge and approved the budgetary allocation of `11.49 crore.
However, until 2013 there wasn’t any headway except the repeated re-tendering for the project as the Maoists’ sway in the region emerged as a deterrent for contractors.
“Despite the involvement of all parties -- the government, contractors and suppliers-- the construction process didn't begin, as the Maoists opposed such construction and issued threats. Contractors didn't actively participate in the tender process and those who did often backed out," a senior official of the State Public Works Department (PWD) said.
Over the years, public mood evolved in support of the bridge in more than two dozen villages on both sides of the river. And the three base camps of the security forces established in nearby areas resulted in enhanced movement of the troopers raising hopes, said the residents of Dornapal.
The administration has been quick to admit that greater movement of forces is a key factor, while acknowledging that the Maoists seem to have yielded to strong public pressure as the 500-metre long
bridge connecting roads from five states becomes a reality.
“Construction of roads and bridges always remains a challenge due to the Maoist presence. The bridge will be a boon for people who had to cross the river often risking their lives during the monsoon," said Rajesh Nara, a local businessman at Podia village.
“Fear persisted but the Naxalites neither threatened us nor halted our construction work that began in 2014. But during the major Maoist attacks in Sukma or adjoining districts, most of my workers fled the site for weeks," contractor Shrikumar Singh Bhadoriya told New Indian Express.
The bridge will substantially reduce the time and distance of journey. The bridge, inaugurated by the chief minister during the ongoing Lok Suraj Abhiyan (mass contact programme on good governance), cuts the distance between Odisha’s Kalimela to Chhattisgarh’s Dornapal from 110 km to just 45 km.
With the bridge construction over, concerns regarding its security over threats from ultras are being addressed. “We will install CCTV surveillance cameras. With more base camps of security forces coming up in the vicinity, it will further boost security. The greater movement of people, with their economic activities facilitated by the bridge, will dissuade the rebels from doing anything damaging," the collector said.