BAJURA, MAY 3 Vehicular movement is continuing over a risky bridge on the Guigad River along the Sanphe–Martadi road section, the main route connecting the district headquarters Martadi. The Road Division Office, Sanphebagar, Achham, has restricted movement to one vehicle at a time by placing a signboard at the site after the bridge was deemed unsafe. The concrete truss bridge has become dilapidated due to alleged negligence by the construction company. Transport operators have been compelled to operate vehicles over the risky structure. A contract for the bridge was signed in Asar 2068 BS with Rajendra Thigin JV, with a deadline to complete the construction by Shrawan 30, 2070 BS at a cost of Rs 59.61 million. The contractor failed to complete the work within the stipulated time, and the deadline was extended until the end of Asar 2071 BS. However, the project remained incomplete. According to the Road Division Office, even after the contractor reported completion in 2075 BS, inspection found that substandard materials had been used and required components were not installed as per the estimate. The 60-metre-long bridge is designed to bear a load of 45 tonnes. However, during load testing by engineers from the Road Division Office and the bridge division, the structure could not withstand even 30 tonnes and showed bending and cracks, and has not been approved. Due to the lack of alternative access to the district headquarters, the bridge is currently in operation with a one-vehicle-at-a-time rule. However, there is no clarity on vehicle load limits, raising further safety concerns among transport operators. Locals have reported that parts of the bridge structure have deteriorated, with reinforcement bars exposed and pillars eroded by the Guigad stream. Out of the total contract amount, about 95 per cent-Rs 52.82 million-has already been paid to the contractor, according to the Road Division Office.