MLA stages dharna, demands second bridge over Bramhani

Rajgangpur MLA Gregory Minz along with former Rourkela MLA Prabhat Mohapatra, Rourkela Bar Association president and former Rourkela Municipal Chairman Nihar Ray, Biren Senapati and Badal Srichandan on Thursday staged a dharna at Garjan Chowk near the Bramhani Bridge demanding a second bridge over the river Bramhani.

The demand for a second bridge has cropped up due to the movement of more than 15,000 vehicles plying daily, which it is felt could endanger the existing bridge. Besides, it is pointed out that heavy vehicular traffic has resulted in vehicles stranded for hours together.

Damages in the bridge are sighted in different spots. Experts have suggested that a second bridge is necessary as the present bridge could collapse any moment. Besides, the bridge is over 60 years old. This is what prompted Rajgangpur MLA to sit on a dharna leading to a road block of NH-23.

Though, the IIC of Bramhani Taranga is trying to convince the leaders to withdraw the dharna, the agitators are insisting on a concrete assurance from the district administration. Minz said if the administration does not comply with their demands, they would be compelled to go on an indefinite road blockade.

The dharna is gathering momentum with the public joining the bandwagon of the agitators.