Balasore: The residents of Sartha village have become an example for others in the state for their contributions towards construction of an approach road of a bridge here.

Prabhat Kumar Mohanty has agreed to part with a patch of his land, that was falling on the path of the construction of the approach road for Panchupada bridge.

The bridge project has been hanging fire for the last two years owing to a dispute between Mohanty and the government over acquisition of the land.

Mohanty has agreed to part with the land, while many villagers have offered to give free labour for levelling the ground.

"Although the construction of the main bridge has been completed, it could not be opened due to the absence of the approach road from Panchupada end," said works department's assistant engineer Radhakrushna Behera.

"Since Mohanty has agreed to give his land for the project, the problem has ended. The villagers have also extended a whole-hearted support for levelling the ground for the approach road," he said.

Mohanty said: "The land under my ownership was a part of my ancestral property. It is around 1.5 acres. I have decided to allow the construction of approach road on the land for common good."

The 145-meter-long bridge and approach road project has already missed the completion deadline of February 2016.

Once the approach road comes up, the bridge will benefit at least one lakh rural people who will have a direct connectivity to district headquarter and the distance will be reduced by about 40 kilometres.