The old bridge over the Dhobijor Nullah near Golebazar area in Sambalpur

Sambalpur, Dec. 20: The old bridge over the Dhobijor Nullah near Golebazar area on the Laxmi Talkies Chhak-Kacheri Chhak road will be dismantled and a new one built.

The road and building department will carry out the construction. “The work will start shortly. We want to complete the construction within two months,” said executive engineer of the road and building department Sanjaya Sahu.

Four-wheelers and autorickshaws will not be allowed to ply on the Laxmi Talkies Chhak-Golebazar road and will be diverted when the work is on.

“We have already spoken to the district collector and the superintendent of police on the traffic issue,” said Sahu.

Earlier, the road and building department had widened the bridge. The construction of the extended portion of the bridge has already been completed. “Only two wheelers will ply through the extended portion of the bridge during the construction work,” said Sahu.

The new bridge is estimated to cost Rs 43 lakh.

The Laxmi Talkies-Kacheri Chhak road is one of the busy roads in the city. The bridge is a connection from Laxmi talkies to Golebazar, the main daily market of the city. Several government offices including that of the collector, superintendent of police and revenue division commissioner (northern) are also situated here.

“It is true that commuters will face problems during the construction. But once the new bridge is ready, the wide bridge will definitely be of help,” said Santosh Sahu, a commuter.

A local resident, Satya Narayana Pradhan, said: “It is good the old bridge near Golebazar will be dismantled and a new bridge built. But the department concerned should make it a point to finish the work in time.”