Gaighat, January 24

Locals of Rampur Thokshila VDC in Udayapur have halted the constructed of a bridge over the Gideri River from Sunday.

The locals alleged that the contractors were using sub-standard materials for construction of the bridge. Locals led by cadres and leaders of various political parties have destroyed the under-construction bridge.

Locals had reportedly requested the contractor company to use quality raw materials repeatedly.

Sanbir Rai, a local, said they had been compelled to resort to protest as the contractor company did not pay attention to their frequent requests.

Sharmila Katwal, another local, said the contractor had used raw materials available in the surroundings. She added that the truth about the matter would be evident if the construction site was visited. “Raw materials have not been brought from assigned places,” she said.

Bhupendra Rai, a social worker,  said the work done by the contractor and technicians was of poor quality. He said that the site engineer had ignored the contractor’s use of sub-standard materials. “We had informed the engineer about the wok, but he took no step,” he said.

Locals said construction would remain obstructed until the chief of the local Road Division Office, Lahan, and the chief of the contractor company reached the site. They complained that the Road Division Office had paid no attention to the memorandum they submitted to the office repeatedly.

Meanwhile, site in-charge Engineer Sovit Lal Thakur of the division office said that his office would correct the wrong deeds. He said  the locals protested after some mistakes were found during the work. “We will get the work done as per the estimation,” he assured. He added that a monitoring committee would be formed.

The initiatives of lawmaker Narayan Khadka of constituency No 1 reportedly started the construction of the bridge. The foundation stone for this project was laid three years ago. The contract company Pappu Mirt Sanjibani JV, Baneshwor, had received the contract with a budget of Rs 14 crore to complete the work within four years.

The division office said construction work had also been halted by the Madhes protest last year.  Technicians said that around 20 per cent work had been completed.