LMC begins building disabled-friendly overhead bridge

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 12: Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) has started constructing a disabled-friendly overhead bridge over the Ring Road at Kusunti in Ward No. 13. According to the Metropolis, the disabled-friendly overhead bridge with an elevator is being constructed for the first time in Nepal. Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of LMC, laid the foundation stone of the bridge on Monday. 

Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, Mayor Maharjan said that it got permission from the Department of Roads to construct the overhead bridge after vigorous efforts. 

Ganesh KC, Chairman of Ward No.13, said it took more than four years to get permission from the Department of Roads to construct the bridge. 

The Department of Roads granted permission to the Metropolis for the construction of the bridge only last year.

Although the local level does not have authority over the roads wider than eight metres, the LMC had sought permission to construct the overhead bridge at Kusunti keeping in mind the difficulties the disabled people face while crossing the busy ring road, he said.

The bridge with an elevator on either side will be beneficial for the disabled, children and elderly, said Mayor Maharjan.   

The contractor company has signed a contract to complete the bridge in a year.

"The occurrence of road accidents will drop significantly after the construction of this bridge. It is a matter of pride for us," said KC.

Pradeep Paudel, the Project Chief, said that an agreement was signed with the contractor company Lama Pragati-Mani Buddha JV, Kavrepalanchowk, to complete the construction of the project within 12 months for Rs. 46.89 million.

Poudel also claimed that the bridge with an elevator on either side is the first of its kind in Nepal and it would significantly reduce the risk of road accidents.

Chandra Bahadur Lama, a construction company representative, expressed commitment to complete the project within the stipulated time without compromising quality.

"For this, the cooperation of local citizens, metropolis, timely budget allocation and others are essential," said Lama.