Tentulikhunti, 9th Sept 2025: Although 21 months have passed since the scheduled completion deadline, the construction of the Lamataguda Bridge is still incomplete, mainly due to contractor negligence. On the other hand, the concerned department claims that delays in land acquisition have also hampered the progress.
Initially, a culvert was constructed near Lamataguda on the Indravati-Tentulikhunti project road. During the monsoon, the culvert would get submerged under three feet of rainwater, leading to disrupted connectivity. Later, after the road came under the Project Roads Division, widening was carried out, and a plan was made to construct a raised bridge in place of the culvert.
Subsequently, the Public Works Department (PWD) initiated the bridge construction on 21.06.2022, with an estimated cost of ₹6 crore 13 lakh 40 thousand 864. The original completion date was set for 20.12.2023. However, 21 months have passed since the project began, and it remains incomplete due to the contractor’s negligence.
As a result, local residents are facing serious difficulties. Whenever there is heavy rainfall, the Lamataguda culvert area gets flooded, with water rising up to knee height, making it extremely difficult for the public to cross. A similar situation occurred last year as well, causing severe inconvenience to commuters.
When asked about the delay, PWD Engineer Manoranjan Sahu explained that the delay is also due to unresolved land acquisition compensation, which has led to resistance from locals preventing the work from continuing. He added that the matter has been brought to the attention of the District Collector and the local MLA.