KHOTANG: Social Welfare Fund, Diktel, has sought action against contractors and staffers at road division office, accusing them of delaying construction of Dudh Koshi Bridge in Khotang.

Submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister through District Administration Office on Sunday,  the fund has demanded action against the contractors and staff as they had delayed the construction of the bridge that links Khotang and Okhaldhunga districts.

Khadga Bahadur Basnet, chairman of the fund, said construction work was yet to be completed though the contract term expired four years ago.

The construction of the 150-metre bridge was estimated to cost around 100 million rupees. Hulas Engineering and Kalika Construction had bagged the contract in 2009 with the agreement that they would accomplish the task within 2011.

Locals complained that apart from building some pillars on the sides there had been no construction work. Khadka said locals had been facing various problems due to lack of bridge.

Social worker Durga Prasad Ghimire said construction work had been deliberately delayed due to the nexus between contractors and staffers at the road division office in the district.