Sambalpur, Aug. 14: The under-construction second bridge over Mahanadi is set to overshoot its November deadline by at least seven months because of release of water from the Hirakud's power channel.

The foundation stone for the 1,500-metre-long bridge was laid on January 29, 2014, while the work began in November the same year. A target was set to complete the work within two years.

The work went on without any glitches till this May before the release of water from the power channel into the river hit the ongoing job. The release of water from the power channel also washed away a temporary road that was built for passage of construction vehicles.

Executive engineer of works department H. Majhi said the release of water from the power channel affected construction of pillars on the city side. He said: "It will be difficult to meet the deadline. However, we are trying to complete the project by June."

There is already a bridge over the river on NH-6 in Sambalpur, which connects the city to Bargarh. The second bridge will connect the villages located on the other side of the river.

Villagers on the other side of the river come to Sambalpur through the national highway, travelling around 25km by road.

Once the second bridge is constructed, it would substantially reduce the distance and travel time between both sides of the river.

The bridge, estimated to cost Rs 93.86 crore, will be 14.8-metre wide with a 1.5-metre-wide footpath on each side. A Haryana-based constructio firm has been entrusted with the responsibility to construct the bridge.

"Apart from providing easy connectivity to the villagers on the other side of the river to Sambalpur, the bridge will also allow the city to expand. The authorities should expedite the work," said local resident Debajyoti Nayak.