The incomplete bridge in Balangir. Telegraph picture

Balangir, Jan. 21: Communication with parts of western and southern Orissa from Balangir have been badly hit as construction of two bridges in both sides of Balangir town on NH-26 is taking unusually long time.

Two bridges have remained under construction on the National Highway 26 on the outskirts of Balangir for the last four years.

NH-26, which runs from Bargarh to Boriguma, connects Balangir with Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Rourkela on one side, and Bhawanipatna, Rayagada, Nabrangpur and Jeypore on the other.

However communication to these places has been hit due to the inordinate delay in completion of these two bridges.

Sources said that two temporary low-laying fair-weather roads along side the damaged bridges are now being used for communication. But these roads can hardly accommodate heavy vehicles and even a little drizzle damages the road.

In July 2010, the temporary road on nullah Laxmijore was badly damaged due to heavy rain and Balangir remained cut off from Sambalpur and Rourkela for three days. Similarly, heavy rain also washed away the temporary road at Bijakhaman on the outskirts of Balangir, hitting communication with Jeypore, Rayagada and Bhawanipatna.

“Roads are likely to again get washed away this year if constructions of the bridges are not completed before monsoon,” said local resident Lingaraj Mishra.

The highway authorities are, however, hopeful of completing both the bridges soon. Assistant engineer of Balangir NH division Damodar Kaibarta said that both the bridges would be completed before the next monsoon.

“We are working towards the completion of the bridges. We hope to complete the bridges by March,” he said.