BALASORE: Months after the six-laning project of NH-60 was scrapped, the Centre has decided to go ahead with the renovation and repair work on the highway. For the purpose the Centre has sanctioned Rs 471.05 crore. It will also be utilised to construct bridges for easy drainage of rainwater, which had been causing floods frequently in north Balasore region during monsoon.Sources said the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) had approached the Surface Transport Ministry for work after the six-laning project of the NH was scraped last year due to lack of required traffic flow. The highway was in urgent need of repairs as two bridges had collapsed in 2008 floods.The NHAI had also proposed to build more bridges and culverts on NH-60 for easy passage of water during floods. The faulty design of NH was blamed for the series of floods between 2005 and 2008.The Water and Power Consultancy Services (Wapcos), an independent consultancy of Government of India, who was entrusted with the task to identify faults in the construction of NH had held the NHAI authorities responsible.A technical committee later recommended enhancement of waterways to the length of around 3,000 metres from the existing 1,420 metres across the NH stretch of 53 km between Balasore and Laxmannath Road. “A team of officials from the STM had visited the NH last year and it was decided for renovation of the road at a meeting of the ministry in November. Recently the ministry has sanctioned funds for the 119.275 km highway (Odisha portion 53.5 km),” said an official.Sources said a proposal has been made to construct 42 more bridges covering the waterways of nearly 1500 meters. “Tender has been floated for the renovation work which will start soon after the tender is finalised,” added the official.The locals, however, have demanded repair of the collapsed bridges at the earliest.At least three persons, including son of a former MLA, have died after falling into the crevasse.
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