Berhampur: A nine-member quality control team of the Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC) inspected the ongoing construction of the Gate Bazaar overbridge in Berhampur, Ganjam district, on Tuesday following allegations regarding the quality of materials being used in the project.
The inspection was initiated after Berhampur MP Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy raised concerns over the alleged use of substandard cement and sand in the construction work. The MP had written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on July 25, seeking a technical audit of the project and appropriate action if poor-quality materials were found to have been used.
Nine-Member Team Examines Bridge Structure
The OBCC quality control team carried out a detailed inspection of different components of the overbridge.
Officials examined the bridge pillars and checked various structural parameters, including their dimensions, length, circumference and strength.
The inspection is intended to determine whether the construction meets the required technical and quality standards.
The team is also expected to collect samples of construction materials, including cement, sand and iron rods, for laboratory testing.
Samples from completed pillars will reportedly be examined to assess the quality and strength of the materials used in the structure.
Laboratory Tests to Determine Material Quality
The inspection is not limited to a visual assessment of the bridge.
According to officials, the collected samples will undergo testing as part of the technical evaluation. The results will help determine whether the materials used in the project conform to the prescribed standards.
The OBCC team will compile the findings from the field inspection, measurements, calculations and laboratory tests before preparing its final report.
The report will subsequently be submitted to the Odisha government.
OBCC Says Detailed Investigation Will Take Time
OBCC Superintending Engineer Pinaki Prasad Swain said the team had received instructions from the state government to examine every component of the bridge.
According to Swain, the quality assessment involves multiple stages, including data collection, technical calculations and laboratory testing.
He said the process would therefore require some time before a final report could be prepared.
The inspection is expected to establish whether the allegations concerning the use of substandard construction materials have any basis.
Structural Safety Being Examined
The inspection also focuses on the durability and structural safety of the overbridge.
Officials are using specialised equipment to examine the structural integrity of pillars and other components.
The quality control team is particularly examining the construction in view of concerns over possible defects and their potential impact on the long-term safety of the structure.
Swain also referred to previous instances of construction-related problems in other flyovers, including the Haldiapadar flyover, where defects had reportedly been associated with accidents.
The current inspection is intended to determine the actual condition of the Gate Bazaar project through technical assessment rather than relying solely on the allegations.
Gate Bazaar Overbridge a Major Traffic Project
The Gate Bazaar overbridge has been a long-standing demand of residents of Berhampur.
The project is being constructed with the objective of improving traffic movement and easing congestion in one of the city’s important areas.
Construction work began in September 2024. However, according to the information provided, only around 30% of the project has reportedly been completed so far.
The slow progress has become a concern for commuters and local residents.
Construction Delays Affect Commuters and Businesses
The ongoing construction has reportedly created difficulties for people travelling through the area.
Residents and commuters have faced problems related to dust, road conditions and traffic movement around the construction zone.
Local businesses have also reportedly been affected by the prolonged construction activity and difficulties in accessing the area.
Apart from material quality, the MP’s earlier communication to the Chief Minister also raised concerns regarding delays and alleged management issues associated with the project.
Final Report Will Determine Further Action
The OBCC quality control team’s findings will be important in determining whether the construction meets the required standards and whether any corrective measures are necessary.
The final assessment will include the results of structural checks and laboratory tests of construction materials.
Once the investigation is completed, the detailed report will be submitted to the Odisha government, which can then examine the findings and decide on any further action required.
For now, the inspection remains an ongoing technical assessment, and the allegations regarding substandard materials will have to be established through the findings of the quality tests and official report.
