Construction of bridge in limbo

Sindhuli, March 2

Eight years have passed since the construction of the bridge over the Sunkoshi River that connects Sindhuli with Ramechhap at Khairenighat started. However, the bridge has yet to be constructed due to dispute between the contractors.

The contract to construct the bridge was given to Kankai Construction Service, Lama Construction Service and Khampache Construction Service. After Lama and Khampache quit, Kankai Construction Service alone is constructing the bridge.

“My company is carrying out construction work after others quit,” said Kankai Construction Service Proprietor Ram Mainali. Construction of the bridge was estimated to cost Rs 90 million. Delay in the bridge construction has overshadowed developmental works in western Ramechhap. Undoubtedly, delay in bridge construction has hit the people’s movement and transportation of the goods and daily essentials.

Division Office Khurkot Sindhuli Chief Rakesh Maharjan had directed the contractor companies to expedite construction of the bridge. “Construction work was expedited after Maharjan warned of cancelling the contract by seizing the deposit money,” a local said. Kumar Bhandari of Khaniyapani said it would take additional one year to complete the work. “If everything goes as planned, the bridge will be ready within a year,” he said.