Bridge construction in limbo for 14 yrs

Siraha, Aug 11: The construction of a bridge over the Kamala River that connects Siraha to Dhanusha district remains incomplete for 14 years. The contractor was awarded the project in 2068 BS to construct the 469-metre-long bridge in three years.    

With the delay in the bridge construction, the people in the two districts have faced severe challenges and are compelled to cross the river by putting their lives at risk. Currently, the people there are crossing the river through a makeshift wooden bridge. 

"We have faced hardships for long," Prabin Yadav of Siraha-6 told the RSS. The existing wooden bridge is risker but there was no option left, he added.

Worse still, the motorcycle riders have to pay upto Rs 50 for crossing the river by using the wooden bridge though the municipality said there is no charge for using the wooden bridge. 

The Pappu-Lumbini JV was given the responsibility for the bridge construction. But, the Lumbini Builders is working currently as the Pappu Construction was blacklisted. 

However, the Lumbini Builders has also halted the construction works for the past one month citing that the claim for the insurance was not released for its damage caused due to flooding. 

Information Officer of Postal Highway Directorate Planning Office, Janakpur, Engineer Ranjit Kumar Raya said that processes have been initiated to blacklist the Lumbini Builders for its failure to complete the project by halting the construction works. (RSS)