Tardy progress of work on the
41-km Berhampur-Taptapani Road in Ganjam district of Odisha appeared to have
irked people as the Rs 82 crore project was taken up over six years ago.
"Accidents are regularly
reported on this stretch and the road work needs to be completed as soon as
possible," said former Chairman of Digapahandi Notified Area Council (NAC)
Hruday Ranjan Mekap.
The Rs 82-crore work was taken up
in November, 2008 under the World Bank-funded Orissa State Road Project to
improve the state highway, connecting Berhampur with Taptapani, a tourist
destination.
The delay has escalated the
project cost to Rs 87 crore, officials said.
"Work on 30 km of the 41-km stretch has been completed," said
Executive Engineer of the project Binod Das.
He attributed the delay to
hurdles in land acquisition, payment of compensation to land losers,
termination of contract and floating of fresh tender. "Land for the
project have been acquired in 28 of 31 villages so far. The process could not
be completed in Digapahandi, Lanjia and Gokarnapur following some
disputes," officials said.
"Family and title disputes, besides cases, including endowment,
pending in courts, have hampered the progress of the project," said Land
Acquisition Officer, A K Das. "We couldn't provide compensation to some
land losers following a directive from additional commissioner of
endowment," Das added.
The contractor has sought time
till December. The firm was given June deadline though the work was to be
completed in January.
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