Setibeni bridge construction begins after two-year hiatus

By Arjun Kafle, Syangja, May 8: The construction of the Setibeni motorable bridge over the Kaligandaki River has just started when it is about to reach two years of its agreement.

The contract was signed on July 15, 2021, by Rayamajhi Construction Pvt. Ltd. and Rajeshwori JV to build a bridge over Kaligandaki River Setibeni with an aim to complete it within 45 months. 

The construction work of the bridge started after 22 months after the agreement due to a delay in construction and approval of the motorable bridge design connecting Galyang Municiplialty-5, Syangja, and Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Gulmi. 

Bridge Branch, Transport Department of Roads, Kathmandu signed a contract to be supervised under the Department of Roads, Bridge sector Pokhara. The bridge to be built at a cost of Rs 118,645,000 has a length of 100 meters and a width of 11 meters in two spans and will be built on pile foundations. 

Bhagawat Giri, Manager of the construction company said that there has been a delay in the construction of the bridge because of a delay in approval of the motorable bridge design. Under the contract, the construction company itself had to design its formation. 

Giri said that due to its own design, there will be no technical problems and as piling work is being done, the bridge will be built on time. 

Stating that the company has not even received 10 per cent of the paycheck as promised in the contract, and the company has proceeded to work even without getting the offered money, he said that if the country will arrange the budget for bridge construction, then the work will be completed on time. 

Locals of Syangja and Gulmi as well as tourists coming to sightsee the world’s largest rock, Shaligram will be benefited from the construction of the bridge. The bridge will connect parts of the corridor of Kaligandaki Syangja and Gulmi. 

Shree Krishna Baral, Sub-engineer of the Department of Roads, Bridge Sector, Pokhara, said that even though there has been a delay in the construction of the bridge, it can be timely finished if the construction company will give it all.