Construction of Doda River Bridge, 90 percent compete

Kanchanpur, Oct 23: The Bridge being built over the Doda River is 90 percent complete. Harish Prasad Joshi, the information officer at the Road Division Office in Mahendranagar, reported that the construction is progressing with the goal of finishing by the end of Poush (January). 

The bridge's 'superstructure' has been finalized, and current efforts are focused on erecting walls on both sides and filling in soil, he noted. The total projected cost for the bridge's construction is 247 million rupees, with a contract signed with Lumbini–Rajendra–Kumar–Shrestha JV.

Despite the contract being established on January 10, 2016 (Poush 26, 2072 BS) with a three-year completion timeline, delays from the contractor have hindered timely completion. The deadline has been pushed to the end of Poush, and only Rs 4 million has been allocated for the bridge in the current fiscal year, which raises concerns about possible complications, Joshi explained. He also indicated that an additional Rs 40 million is necessary to finalize the bridge. 

Without the bridge, locals are risking their safety to cross the river. Once completed, the bridge will significantly ease transportation for residents of Lajhadi, Shuklaphanta, and Krishnapur, as stated by local resident Bachchan Rana.(RSS)