8 hours ago
Diversion road collapses, disrupts traffic in Keonjhar
Keonjhar: The diversion road of the under-construction Baunsajora bridge on the Kanjipani–Kuntala road in Keonjhar district collapsed on Sunday, disrupting traffic throughout the day.
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Due to the high water flow, the bridge could not be repaired, cutting off communication between Telkoi and Jagmohanpur (NH 49).
According to sources, the road near Lokanathpur village, built by the Public Works Department (PWD), was damaged after heavy rains over the past two days. As a result, connectivity from Telkoi to Jagmohanpur, Deogarh, Sambalpur, and Rourkela was severed. More than 20 villages in Telkoi block, including Chhamunda, Binjabahal, and Jagamohanpur panchayat, have been cut off from the block headquarters.
Emergency services have also been affected.
"People are facing unprecedented problems. Passenger buses and other vehicles are plying on a narrow road through Dobalapal and Chhamunda," said Chinmay Sahu, a local. Locals have urged the district administration to act immediately. PWD officials visited the site after the road collapse. "The road will be repaired soon," said junior engineer Nihar Nayak. Residents blamed the PWD for negligence and poor-quality diversion work.
A total of Rs 29.39 crore was sanctioned for constructing two bridges over Hanumantia Nala and Baunsajhari Nala and improving a 12-km stretch from Telkoi to Nampashi in Angul district. However, slow progress in construction has led to the current crisis.
