Minister Lamsal inspects under-construction Madi Bridge

By Amar Raj Naharki, Tanahun, June 3: Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal has inspected the four-lane bridge over the Madi River, regarded as the most significant structure under the Muglin–Pokhara Road Expansion Project along the Prithvi Highway.

During an on-site inspection of both the eastern and western sections of the Muglin–Pokhara road expansion project, Minister Lamsal on Monday visited the attractive arch-design bridge connecting Ward Nos. 4 and 5 of Byas Municipality and received updates on its physical progress.

According to Information Officer Engineer Bishnu Prasad Pandey of the Muglin–Pokhara Road Project (Eastern Section), the bridge has achieved 84 per cent physical progress so far. 

Pandey said that the complex technical works on the bridge have already been completed, while finishing works and construction of the upper structure are progressing rapidly.

He added that as the foundation and pillar works have been fully completed, the remaining construction is targeted to be finished within the current fiscal year. 

The project stated that the contractor, ZIEAST–ANNAK JV, has deployed around 125 workers daily to accelerate construction and aims to complete all remaining works by October.

Following the deterioration of the old bridge over the Madi River, construction of the new 370-metre-long bridge in a modern arch design was initiated near the same location.  The project has stated that this will be the most attractive and modern bridge along the Prithvi Highway and has been designed artistically not only to facilitate transport but also to enhance tourism appeal.

The contract agreement for the bridge was signed on August 11, 2022 at a cost of Rs. 1.21 billion.  Once operational, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the Damauli market area. 

Construction of the bridge began as part of the upgrading of the Muglin–Pokhara road to a four-lane highway with loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank.