Rourkela: The construction of second bridge across the Brahmani river started on Monday.

The construction equipment arrived on the river bank near Balughat.

A site camp was also set up and over three dozen workers arrived at the spot.

Construction manager Sajad Khan said: "We will go for testing to ascertain the soil strength, quality and other things."

"We will get the bridge completed by one-and-a-half years," he said.

The bridge is part of the 126km Barkot to Biramitrapur stretch of the NH 143. Now, land acquisition has been done from the Barkot side, and the compensation paid.

Rourkela Development Authority chairman Sarada Prasad Nayak said: "Let us wait for sometime before feeling happy."

On the other hand, the BJP's state secretary Dhiren Senapaty said: "Nothing can stop this as this has been promised by the Prime Minister."