Naveen inaugurates bridge connecting area cut off for decades,

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated a bridge over Janbai river and announced Rs 100 crore for development of the area on its other side, which was cut-off for around five decades in the Maoist-hit zone of the district.

The Rs 187.25 crore bridge will connect 151 villages in the cut-off area in Chitrakonda block. The area remained encircled by water on three sides after construction of reservoirs at Machhkund in 1960s and Balimela in 1980s.

There was no means of communication to the villages other than boat service, officials said.

Giving a new name to the cut-off area as "Swabhiman Anchal", Patnaik said Gurupriya bridge is the national pride and symbolises peace, cooperation & progress.

"It is a testimony to our commitment to integrate all parts of Odisha to mainland and thereby to prosperity. It is our dream come true and the Bridge Of Progress," Patnaik said.

"Gurupriya Setu signifies a resurgent#Odisha, will transform lives in 151 villages that were cut off for 5 decades. It is not just a bridge, it will be the identity & Swabhiman of #Malkangiri. I dedicate this special project of #Odisha and India #Jai Jagannath," Patnaik tweeted.

Calling upon left wing extremists to return to the mainstream, Patnaik said violence is not a solution to any problem. "Peace is essential for development," Patnaik said.

The programme was held amidst unprecedented security arrangements as the area is Maoist-affected.

Besides connecting 151 villages with 30,000 odd people, the bridge will provide tactical advantage to security personnel in tackling the Maoist menace, officials said.

The foundation stone of the bridge was laid way back in 1982 by the then chief minister JB Patnaik and again by Naveen Patnaik in 2000.

However, none came forward to take part in the bidding process attempted by the state and central governments mainly due to technical challenge of the site. Construction was very difficult there as, out of the total 910 m length of the bridge, the depth of water in a stretch of 240 m ranges from 70 to 90 feet, officials said.

The 910-metre-long bridge and 1200-metre approach road on either side have been built by a Kolkata-based firm. The work began in 2014 with the deployment of Border Security Forces at both ends of the bridge.

After inaugurating the bridge, Naveen Patnaik returned to the district headquarters and unveiled a new 300-bed annexe on the premises of the District Headquarters Hospital.

Addressing a meeting there, Patnaik announced Rs 100 crore special package for the cut-off area.

The fund will be utilised in construction of roads, bridges, development of health and education facilities, he said adding: "I will personally look after the development of the 151 villages in other side of Janbai river."