7 bridges to be built in Karnali under multi-year plan

By Our Correspondent,Rukum West, Aug. 30: After the budget allocation made by the Karnali provincial government for the construction of motorable bridges at seven different locations in Rukum West was insufficient, it has been proposed to include these projects in a multi-year plan.

A budget of Rs. 105 million has been allocated for the construction of seven bridges in the fiscal year 2025/26. According to the Infrastructure Development Office, Chaurjahari, a file has been submitted to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development to include the project in the multi-year plan, as the budget is insufficient to cover the construction cost.  

Chief engineer of the Infrastructure Development Office, Ramchandra B.C., said that the file had been sent to get the approved plan included for the construction of motorable bridges at seven locations under Rukum West's provincial constituency 'A' in the multi-year plan in the current fiscal year.

 He said that the projects would go into implementation only if the file is approved.

According to the office, around Rs. 20 million has been allocated for the construction of a bridge in Chhinkhet of Banphikot Rural Municipality under the Rapti Highway, while Rs. 30 million has been allocated for the construction of a bridge on the Puma River connecting wards numbers 1 and 2 of Banphikot Rural Municipality. 

Similarly, Rs. 10 million has been approved for the construction of a motorable bridge on Deutakhola connecting wards 5 and 6 of Sanibheri Rural Municipality, Rs. 15 million for the construction of Gharikhola bridge connecting wards 10 and 12 of Aathbiskot Municipality, Rs. 10 million for the construction of a bridge over Kalakhola in the same place.

Likewise, the provincial government has allocated a budget of Rs. 10 million for the construction of a bridge over Sankhkhola connecting wards 11 and 4 of Musikot Municipality and Rs. 10 million for the construction of a bridge over Chunakhola in the Musikot Municipality.

Chief Engineer B.C. said that the budget would be insufficient for the construction of the bridge, including the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), survey, and contract, making it necessary to include them in the multi-year plan. 

"If a project is started without including it in the multi-year plan, there is a risk that the bridges won't get enough funding for their completion, and the state's investment will be wasted," he said.

Karnali Provincial Assembly Member, Mahendra K.C., said that the general public has been suffering every year due to the lack of bridges in Chhinkhet, which is the gateway to Banphikot Rural Municipality, as well as Pumakhola, Gharikhola, Kalakhola, Deutakhola, Sankhhola and Chunakhola. 

He said that children had problems going to school, and transport services are disrupted during the rainy season. 

He said that some budget has been allocated for the DPR, survey and other works, and additional initiatives have been taken to include them in the multi-year plan.

Provincial Assembly Member K.C. said that the budget had been allocated for the construction of various roads, school buildings and health posts in addition to the bridge. 

He said that the projects for which the budget had been managed would go through the survey and tender process on time. 

KC said that the main responsibility of all stakeholders was to complete the work in a way that ensures quality, transparency, and the participation of the public.