Delay in Vattigedda bridge resented

Srikakulam: The dreams of people belonging to five villages in Veeraghattam mandal of Srikakulam district dashed when the bridge, which was being constructed on Vattigedda reservoir at an estimated cost of Rs 4.35 crore, was halted abruptly.

Surprisingly, the statements of contractor and officials were contradictory; while the former saying that the works were stopped due to pending of bills and Nilam cyclone, the officials and villagers allege foul play by the contractor.It may be recalled that Rs 4.35 crore was sanctioned by the Central government under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana scheme in 2010 to build a bridge on Vattigedda in order to provide transport facilities to the people of Kottugummada and Gadagamma villages in Veeraghattam mandal.

Contractor Srinivasa Rao said that the bridge was supposed to be completed by December 2012 but was stopped due to Nilam cyclone. Therefore, the works were abruptly stopped as they were not completed in a stipulated time. So, he reportedly sought more time to complete the works.

He further stated that over 40 per cent works were completed, including the retaining wall and two platforms. However, the bills relating to those works were still pending, he said. But engineering officials said that they already cleared the bills. They said they would inform this to the higher officials and urge them to initiate action against the contractor for his false statements.

Notably, the local people alleged that the contractor was selling the construction material and he was transporting them during the night. They recalled that some of the villagers lost their lives while crossing Vattigedda. So, the government should intervene and see that the bridge was complete on time so that precious lives of people would be saved.