Rautahat, September 29

Around eight years have passed since the construction of a bridge over the Bagmati River at Durga Bhagawati Rural Municiplaity-10, Rautahat, began in 2010.  However, construction of the bridge remains in limbo after Pappu Construction that was awarded the contract closed the site office and left in 2013.

Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had laid the foundation stone of the bridge.

Since Pappu Construction was blacklisted then, Harinarayan Rauniyar, chief of the construction company, had been able to receive the contract at Rs 35.9 crore through Lumbini Builders Private Limited.  Though the contract was awarded in the name of Lumbini Builders, Pappu Construction had taken full responsibility for constructing the bridge.

Rauniyar had agreed with Road Division Office to complete construction work within June 13, 2013. After constructing 17 pillars of the bridge, Pappu Construction left the site. This has left the bridge construction in limbo.  Locals are forced to cross the river on the boat due to lack of bridge.

Lumbini Builders Managing Director Bishnu Sharma said bridge construction had been halted as the design was faulty. Sharma, however, blamed the government for delay in construction of the bridge.

Postal Road Division Project Parsa said that they had repeatedly requested the contractor orally and in writing to resume the construction work. “We have re-sent new design of the bridge, but they are reluctant to start work, saying the government needs to fix a new rate,” said project chiefAnutha Patel.

Pappu Construction has left construction of many bridges across the country in limbo.