Dhading, November 19

Five years on, the construction of a motorable bridge over the Trishuli River is yet to be completed.

Division Road Office, Bharatpur, had awarded the contract to build the bridge to Sapana Himdung and Thokar and Nagarjung Service Company in 2014. Five years later, the contractor companies have accomplished only 40 per cent work on the 192 metres bridge. The estimated cost of the project stood at Rs 150 million.

District Coordination Committee Dhading Chief Jaghannath Nepal said the contractor companies had to complete the bridge by 2017, as per the contract. “However, these companies had delayed the work under various pretexts.”

Yadu Kumar Khatiwada, a local, said they had been pressing the division office to mount pressure on construction companies for completion of the bridge. “But, the division office has yet to take the issue seriously,” he added.

The locals have demanded action against construction companies for their negligence in completing the bridge on time.

Galchhi Rural Municipality Ward No 1 chair Purna Prasad Khatiwada said locals and earthquake victims were badly affected as they were compelled to bring in construction materials for their houses through Nuwakot. He said vehicles could ply on roads to the rural areas from Nilkantha Municipality through Galchhi Rural Municipality once the bridge is in operation.