But the happiness brought about by foundation-laying of the bridge could not last more than a year. Now, they are livid and hopeless as not even the construction work of the bridge's foundation has been completed.
The contractor was tasked with completing the bridge within three years of bagging the contract. But construction of the bridge remains uncertain five years after the contractor was awarded the project.
“Even we had contributed free labor to construct the bridge,” said Rahamtula Hussain, a local. “Unfortunately, the bridge is far from being completed.”
According to Hussain, locals have to suffer great deal of ordeal in order to cross the river during monsoon. Movement of vehicles, including ambulance, to and from the villages connected by the under construction bridge comes to a halt for at least three months during monsoon.
Some three decades ago, government had approved the plan to construct the bridge in the district, but later it failed to come under government priority.
At present, even the contractor responsible for building the bridge is at large.
The construction of the bridge will establish linkage of a dozen villages including Balakawa to the East-West Highway in the district.
Balakawa was once a commercial hub but lack of bridges has hampered the development of the local market. In lack of bridges here, the market has moved to Golbazar on the highway, said Kamaluddin Khan, another local of Balakawa.
Half a decade ago, Road Division Office of Lahan had granted the construction contract worth Rs 40.7 million to Lokbir Betali Nepal Pragati JV Nirman Sewa. As per the agreement, the contractor was supposed to accomplish the bridge construction within February of last year, according to the division office.
Meanwhile, site engineer Pandav Yadav informed that less than 35 percent of the construction work has been completed at the site so far. Only after the office wrote to the contractor thrice, the company came into contact.
“If the company does not resume the construction work and complete it, legal action alongside return of advance payment will be forwarded,” engineer Yadav said. The company had already received a budget of Rs 13 million, according to the account section.
Similar is the case of Ghordah bridge construction of Saptari district as the contractor has gone out of contact for the last 2.5 years. Prakash/Aashray Nirman Sewa JV, who was granted the contract worth Rs 19 million has recently come to contact with Road Division Office of Lahan after several follow ups and warning to take legal action and return of advance payment.
The company, which was supposed to complete the construction work three years ago, has just completed building the foundation of the bridge, according to site engineer Sobhit Thakur.
Construction of over a dozen bridges in Siraha and Saptari districts has remained uncertain due to carelessness of the contractors, affecting mobility of local folks.
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