Bridge construction in limbo for 11 years

By Our Correspondent Dhangadi, June 15: Preparations have begun to break the contract of the bridge over Kandra River of Bhajani Municipality-3, Kailali as contractors have failed to complete the bridge even in 11 years.

The office of postal highway has begun preparations to revoke the contract even though 2.5 years still remains in the current contract. The office informed that the company would be black-listed as they had failed to complete the project in time even though they had extended the deadline many times.

Information officer of Postal Highway Dhangadhi, Er. Padam Madai informed they were preparing necessary paperworks to break the contract as they had no alternative as the company failed to accomplish work.

Salpa/Sherpa-Lama-Biruwa had got the contract jointly on June 4, 2011. Salpa/Sherpa (now changed to Himali JV) was doing the works but they were not able to complete the project even though the deadline was extended for four times.

After the contract, 30 months' time was given for the first time but the works did not even start for four years as they had to change the design. After the change in design, the works started in 2015. The first deadline of 2.5 years expired in June 2018. The fourth deadline of the bridge expired in April. 

The total construction cost of the bridge is  Rs. 4.3 million. According to the office, 75% works are completed and they only have a spam, roads on both sides and a gabion left to build but works have completely stopped. 

Er. Madai said the bridge will remain incomplete this year as well because monsoon has already started and added that it will take some time to break the current contract and enter a new one.

Due to lack of a bridge, people of Bhajani Municipality and its surrounding areas are facing trouble to travel and some are even crossing the river riskily by boat. The dream of people to cross the river by bridge could not be fulfilled this year as well.

The vehicles upto Dhangadhi-Bhajani-Satti are facing problem because of lack of a bridge which is being built under the Postal Highway. According to the project, all the other bridges under the project were completed.

The people of Bhajani Municipality are furious as the bridge has not been completed for a long time.  

Mayor of the Municipality informed that a delegation will be sent to the federal headquarters.