Rourkela, Aug. 8: The state government has started the process of land acquisition on the 130-km-long National Highway No. 143 that connects Barkote with Birmitrapur.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has floated the project tender. The bidding is on and work will begin shortly.

In 2012, the project had been awarded to infrastructure tycoon Gammon India. But last year, the company withdrew itself from the project due to the inordinate delay in land acquisition. "This time, there is no such problem, and the project will begin around November," said Sambalpur NHAI project manager Ravindran Rao.

Rourkela additional district magistrate K.S. Chakrovorthy said: "We have begun work right from Barkote to Biramitrapur, and we will shortly finish the job. Compensation is being paid immediately to the affected landowners."

The road, seen as a lifeline, is vital for the transportation of minerals and other industrial products. "The stretch has over 250 acres of private land, and we have acquired over 180 acres. Rest will be done shortly," said Chakrovorthy.

The project is estimated to cost around Rs 870 crore and should be over within 36 months, sources said. However, some issues regarding land purchase still exist near Biramitrapur. Last year, residents of Panposh had called a one-day strike against the project. They opposed to let the road pass through the town and suggested for a bypass. On this, Chakrovorthy said: "We are into discussions, and something will come out shortly."

Panposh Welfare Committee convener Harmohan Mohapatra has expressed his dissatisfaction over the four-lane road passing through the town. "Our stand is clear. Everywhere the highway goes through a bypass. However, in this case, the norm being violated. We do not understand why they want to do it right on our nose. We will express our stand only after the meeting of our committee." he said.

Apart from the highway expansion, revamp of the second bridge on the Brahmani river - which is also a part of this project - will be executed near Panposh. The bridge was built in the fifties and has already shown signs of wear and tear. In the past 10 years, it has been closed for repair over 15 times.

Chakrovorthy said: "The bridge will be re-erected between the existing road and the railway bridge." He added that new trees would be planted for every tree uprooted for the purpose.