Bridge over Brahmani river: CM says no forest clearance necessary

Bhubaneswar: Amid the political fight over the delay in construction of second bridge over Brahmani river near Rourkela, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday informed that no forest clearance is necessary for construction of second bridge in Sundergarh district.

“There is no impediment for the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) can start construction work even tomorrow,” said the Chief Minister in a letter to Union Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The Chief Minister send the letter after Gadkari held the Odisha government responsible for the delay of the project saying it is delaying the forest clearance and land acquisition process for the project.

The issue of forest clearance raised in your letter is not related to the construction of the bridge. I understand that no forest clearance is necessary for the construction of the said bridge as the proposed site is non-forest in nature-Naveen Patnaik.

He said the project director of NHAI at Rourkela has stated that the land where the second bridge has to be constructed is non-forest.

The Chief Minister, through a letter on Monday, had informed Gadkari that his government will construct the second bridge over Brahmani river if the Centre did not show seriousness in carrying out the construction.

Responding to the Chief Minister’s letter, Gadkari on Tuesday held the Odisha government responsible for the delay of the project saying the state government is delaying the forest clearance and land acquisition process for the project.

I was surprised and pained to receive your letter and media reports suggesting the delay on part of NHAI. I may like to clarify that all these projects are delayed for want of forest clearances and land issues- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The new bridge over Brahmani river will cost around Rs 550 crore and is expected to be completed in two years. The bridge is part of a six-lane National Highway from Rajamunda to Biramitrapur.