Devigada gateway remains a non-starter
CUTTACK"Four years after Cuttack Municpal Corporation proposed to start construction of a permanent gateway at Devigada on river Kathajodi, where Durga idols are immersed every year, the project remains a non-starter.Considering the importance of Devigada in immersion of idols, CMC had in 2012 proposed to construct a permanent gate at the place with an aim to give a fitting farewell to the Goddess.
As per plan, the 25 feet high and 60 feet wide arch is to be made of fibre and concrete. The permanent gate would feature a gigantic statue of Goddess Durga and other replicas related to Dussehra. Besides, there would be statues of seven lions, which would add an extra attraction to the gate.
The constitutional design of Devigada portal was finalised and approved by CMC in 2013. While the project was to be constructed at a cost of more than `2 crore, a provision for `30 lakh was made in the budget and duly passed in the corporation meeting in 2013.
Accordingly, CMC officials had demarcated a space at Devigada on the banks of Kathajodi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid a foundation stone at the spot for construction of the gateway the same year. The project was scheduled to be completed by 2014 Durga Puja. However, even after three years, the permanent portal remains a non-starter. Not a single brick has yet been laid.
Sources said, in January 2013 CMC had assigned Bhubaneswar-based Subhadra Consultancy to prepare a detailed project report(DPR) of the project. The firm is yet to prepare the structural design and submit the DPR.The work is getting delayed due to Government plan for expansion of Kathajodi ring road, said an engineer of CMC. “We are unable to reach at a decision on how much space is to be left for ring road expansion and exact location from where the gate will be erected.CMC Mayor Meenakshee Behera admitted delay in floating of tender. “We are taking steps to avail the DPR and float tender for construction of Devigada gateway as soon as possible,” she said.