Nabarangpur – A bridge was constructed over the Bhaskel River on the Badagumuda-Ikori road in Kosagumuda block in 2021, with an estimated cost of ₹3.57 crore. Built by the Public Works Department, this bridge was considered properly constructed, and the then sub-collector had even inspected it. The bridge facilitated smooth transportation for four-wheelers and heavy vehicles in areas like Badagumuda, Ikori, Kosagumuda, and Kodianga.
However, today, due to illegal sand mining by the sand mafia, traffic on this road has come to a standstill. Ordinary passengers are facing severe difficulties. Despite coordination with the administration, the sand mafia has been freely extracting sand from beneath the bridge. Every day, thousands of truckloads of sand are removed from under the bridge, yet the administration remains unresponsive.
With the sand being excavated from beneath the bridge pillars, the bridge has now become structurally unsafe. Neither four-wheelers nor heavy vehicles can pass over it. Due to safety concerns, no vehicle operators are willing to use this route. As a result, regular commuters now have to take a detour of 30-35 kilometers to reach their destinations.
Local residents are demanding that the district administration reconstruct the bridge and take strict action against the sand mafia.