DHANGADHI: The contractor assigned for the construction of a bridge over Kandra River, has abandoned the construction in Bhajani Municipality-3 of Kailali district.

A monitoring team including Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kailali, Baburam Shrestha could find neither workers nor the employees at the site of the under-construction bridge at Thekipur. The bridge designed to be of 100 metres in length could connect Thekipur with Lalbojhi and Charra in Bhajani-5 and 7 respectively.

The local residents had requested CDO Adhikari to monitor the bridge construction after they found the contractors neglecting and leaving the construction incomplete. They lodged a complaint with CDO urging to carry out investigations after the contractor abandoned the construction.

Local Bal Bahadur complained that the contractor had neglected the construction since the beginning. He lamented that without the bridge locals had to face problems while crossing the river during floods. Lack of a bridge over the river has hindered the locals from the basic services compelling them to use boats to cross the river.

During the onsite inspection, CDO Adhikari assured that action would be taken against the contractor.

It has been learned that the contractor has not even completed the task of erecting the pillars in the period of seven and a half years.

Lama Sherpa JV Pvt Ltd had started the bridge construction on June 14, 2011, with an agreement to complete within December 15, 2013. However, with the extended dateline time and again, the company has done only 25 per cent of the work till the date.

Likewise, Chief of Postal Highway Project, Ram Pukar Jaiswal assured that the contractor would be prosecuted. He said, the contractor has been asked to report in one weeks' time or the company would lose its  deposit and further action will be taken.

(Translated by Kriti Joshi)