Bhubaneswar, July 22: Work on two bridges has been put on hold because of the ongoing construction of a flyover in Sambalpur city.

The works department had decided to dismantle two bridges in Sambalpur and widen them. A contractor was also selected for the work on these bridges situated near the Lady Lewis Girls School on the Modipara-Kunjelpara road and the City Centre Mall on the Modipara-Khetrajpur road.

The department has now put the bridge job on hold as the two are being used as alternative roads to divert traffic on the Church Chowk-Kachery Chowk Road, on which the flyover is being built.

Both the existing bridges are narrow and in bad shape.

"The construction of these two bridges should be taken up on a priority basis," said Anup Bohidar, a commuter.

The department's deputy executive engineer Narayan Patel said: "We have put the work of the two bridges on hold as both the roads are being used as diversions for construction of the flyover. Work on the bridges will start after the monsoon."

Girl attacked

A man attacked a minor girl with a knife after she rejected his advances in Jajpur on Saturday. The accused has been identified as Gourav Ray alias Tapi of Guhali village. The victims suffered injuries on her neck, hand and back and has been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, sources said.

Additional reporting by PTI