Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a high-level bridge over the Mahanadi river near Sambalpur on Friday.
The 1.5 km bridge, built at a cost of ₹117.72 crore, will connect areas including Chaurpur, Gosala, and Chipilima with Sambalpur city near the Nelson Mandela Square by reducing the distance by 25 km.
The bridge will facilitate better transportation of agricultural produce to the daily markets of Sambalpur and give boost to tourism. With direct access to Sambalpur, people from rural areas will get access to better health care and education, said Mr. Patnaik.
During his visit to Sambalpur, the Chief Minister also addressed a Biju Yuva Bahini meeting where he inaugurated several new projects for the development of the region.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated 19 other development projects worth ₹100 crore and laid foundation stones of 14 projects worth ₹338 crore.
In the run-up to the upcoming general elections, Mr. Patnaik has been touring different districts to inaugurate projects and addressing meetings. He is scheduled to visit Mayurbhanj district on Sunday, his second visit to the district in less than a week.
