Jhapa, September 13

Seven years since construction work on the much-awaited Mechi Bridge started at Bhadrapur, Jhapa, completion of the work is nowhere in sight.

Construction work on the bridge has reportedly become slower by the day.

The bridge, supposed to be 560 metres long and 10 metres wide, will have 17 pillars.

Work on the first pillar below the ground is yet to start. Locals said the work will not be completed unless the first and the fifteenth pillars are completed.

Residents in Jhapa have been clamouring for the bridge since 1952.

Construction work had begun with a budget of Rs 373.60 million, but the work, has since then been left in a state of limbo.

As per the latest agreement, the bridge should be completed and handed over to the government by April 2016.

However, only 70 per cent of the work on the project had been completed till June end. Accountant at Anak Surya and Sons Construction Company Pramod Karna said that it would take one more year to complete the project.

The Mechi Bridge holds great significance as it connects Jhapa headquarters Bhadrapur with India’s Bengal, and Bihar’s Galgaliya border point.