TNI Bureau: The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the state government over the controversial tender awarded for the ₹200-crore Kathajodi bridge project.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan, party leaders alleged that the decision to entrust the project to SPS Construction Company compromises public safety.

Senior Congress spokesperson Sonali Sahu cited the collapse of the Sultanganj–Khagaria bridge project in Bihar, also linked to the same company, to question its credibility. She pointed out that the bridge, worth over ₹1,700 crore, reportedly collapsed three times, sparking nationwide concern. According to her, the incidents were not mere accidents but reflected serious lapses, including poor construction quality, substandard materials, flawed design, lack of expertise, and execution failures.

Sahu further referred to findings by IIT Roorkee, which had reportedly identified major structural defects in the Bihar project and recommended complete reconstruction. The Patna High Court had also taken note of the issue, raising questions over why the company had not been blacklisted.

Another spokesperson, Dr. Manisha Das Pattnaik, directly targeted the state government, alleging that awarding such a critical infrastructure project to a “tainted and repeatedly failing company” puts lives at risk. She argued that the Bihar episode exposed not only technical shortcomings but also administrative negligence and regulatory failure, which even drew the attention of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Dr. Pattnaik questioned the basis on which the company was selected, why the previous tender was cancelled, and who stands to benefit from the decision. She warned that if such negligence continues, Odisha could face a similar disaster, for which the government would be held accountable.

The Congress concluded by warning the government against compromising public safety and demanded an immediate review of the tender process. Failing this, the party said it would intensify its agitation in the coming days.