Balanga, Nov 28: There is a demand for the construction of a new bridge over the Bhargavi River on the old road connecting the southern bank at Bandh Banmalipur to Parbatipur.
If this bridge is constructed, residents of Pipili, Satyabadi, Nimapada, Gop, Konark, Kakatapara, and Astaranga blocks will benefit, and tourists will also have easier access to destinations such as Konark and Pir Jahaniyan Peeth. With a new bridge over the Bhargavi, tourists would no longer need to go via Puri or Nimapada; instead, they could reach Konark and Astaranga in much less time.
Currently, for over 30 years, people from villages like Parbatipur, Gualigorata, Balrampur Garh, Gendamal, Dangura, Bilipada, Mahura, Bagalpur, and Vidyadharpur have had to travel via Parbatipur village, cross the river, and then reach Banmalipur village to access the Bir Purushottampur railway station, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack for daily commuting.
Due to the long detour, pregnant women, infants, and elderly residents face significant difficulties during travel. Considering this, district officials and the irrigation department have been urged to construct a new bridge. Local residents from Pipili, Satyabadi, and Nimapada areas, including leaders Harihar Sahu, Ruturaj Dash, and Madhav Swain, have collectively demanded the construction of the bridge.