- Inaugurated by Smt Minakshi Mahanta, MLA, Champua
- Constructed within record 4 months, the bridge is 91 ft long and 12 ft wide
Joda : With an objective to provide better commuting facility to the residents of Keth Hutting and nearby villages, Tata Steel dedicated a bridge over river Suna connecting Bichakundi with Keth Hutting on Saturday.
Smt Minakshi Mahanta, Hon’ble MLA, Champua graced the occasion as Chief Guest along with Shri Atul Kumar Bhatnagar, General Manager (OMQ Division), Tata Steel, Shri Saroj Kumar Banerjee, Chief (Joda), Tata Steel and Shri Rajesh Kumar, Chief, Tata Steel.
Among others present on the occasion were Ms Tulasi Bobanga, Sarpanch, Bhuiyan Roida, Ms Bilasini Oram, Sarpanch, Loidapada, Mr Narendra Munda, Sarpanch, Jalahari, Ms Subhakanti Soy, Sarpanch, Jurudi, Ms Priyanka Majhi, Sarpanch, Jajanga, Mr Arun Munda, Sarpanch, Palsa, Ms Laxmi Champia, Samiti Sabhya, Jalahari, Ms Rajani Penthei, Samiti Sabhya, Jurudi, Mr Mahendra Majhi, Samiti Sabhya, Palsa, Mr Manbodh Oram, Ex-Sarpanch, Bhuiyan Roida and Mr Jatish Chandra Naik, Ex-Sarpanch, Bhuiyan Roida, along with senior officials of Tata Steel, and officials of Tata Steel Foundation.
The construction of the 91 feet long and 12 feet wide bridge allowing movement of light motor vehicles was completed in a record time of four months. To enhance the safety standard of the bridge technical interventions like RCC (Reinforced cement concrete) pillars, etc, have been used. Apart from this, to promote sustainability, Tata Steel Foundation (TSF), the CSR arm of the Company, has also installed two solar-powered streetlights near the bridge that will enable the villagers to safely commute at night.
More than 10, 000 people residing in Bhuiyan Roida, Malda, Loidapada, Jalahari, Jurudih and Guali panchayats along with Joda Municipality will be benefitted by the bridge which also connects Keonjhar district with Sundargarh district.
TSF has undertaken various developmental initiatives towards socio-economic development of the people in the peripheral areas of operations around Joda, focusing on health, education, infrastructure development, livelihoods, skill upgradation and women empowerment among others. Infrastructure being a very crucial sector for the overall development of any society, the Company has undertaken many infrastructure development initiatives in the region including construction of community centres, deep bore wells, infrastructure for schools, etc.
