Sonepur: The development efforts in Subarnapur district have stagnated, with numerous projects lingering incomplete for years. This has sparked discussions among locals regarding the district's growth. A key initiative, the ring road around Subarnapur town, was intended to shield residents from the persistent flooding caused by the Mahanadi and Tel rivers. The project was inaugurated in 2011 by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Fast forward 14 years, and the project remains unfinished. Ongoing disputes between the Works and Water Resources departments have left this long-anticipated project in a state of uncertainty. The contract for the essential portal frame bridge was given to ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd, but the company halted work midway.

Originally set for completion in 2022, only a mere 10 percent of the bridge's construction has been completed. For the last two and a half years, progress has been at a standstill, raising questions among residents about when they will finally benefit from the project. Initially, the Water Resources Department constructed earthen embankments to mitigate flooding and alleviate traffic issues in the expanding town.

However, due to the inability to design the crucial portal bridge, the project was handed over to the Works Department. This department managed to construct a 1,500-meter embankment road from the Mahanadi bridge and a 2,400-meter stretch from the Tel bridge to Badabazar, along with retaining walls and two large culverts. Yet, the essential 1,150-meter portal frame bridge from Kumbharpada to Dasamatighat remains unbuilt.

Six and a half years ago, a tender worth Rs 56.09 crore was issued, funded by the Water Resources Department. The plan included 45 piers and two abutments, but delays in providing necessary drawings and designs by senior officials hindered progress. The contractor displayed negligence, completing only a few piers before abandoning the project, citing financial losses. The Works Department in Subarnapur has since prepared a new cost estimate of Rs 81.15 crore for the remaining work.

The Superintending Engineer of the Works Department in Subarnapur has sent the tender proposal to the Office of the Engineer-in-Chief in Bhubaneswar. Although the Water Resources Department had previously approved Rs 56 crore, additional funds are now required due to the delays. It remains unclear if the department will allocate the extra funds.

Recently, the Engineer-in-Chief of the Works Department reached out to his counterpart in the Water Resources Department, requesting administrative approval and the necessary funds to proceed with inviting tenders. However, no response has been received, leaving the portal frame bridge project in a state of uncertainty.