BARA, Sept 16: The snail-paced construction of a bridge has compelled the people to cross the Bangari River of Banjariya by risking their lives. 

As per the agreement, the bridge which falls along Kalaiya-Nitanpur road section should have been completed two years ago but only 30 percent of the work has been completed so far, according to Road Division Office (RDO), Hetauda. In July 2014, Elite/Mona JV was awarded the contract of the project with a two-year deadline.

Jayaram Adhikari, spokesperson for RDO, Hetauda, said that that the construction company accepted the project for Rs 4.3 million. "As per the agreement, the bridge should have been completed by 2016," said Adhikari, adding, "But that has not been possible due to the negligence of the construction company."According to him, the representatives of the company Ramakanta Chaurasiya and Mukesh Chaurasiya have been urged repeatedly to expedite the project. "We had decided to blacklist this company for its negligence and sluggish work. However the company has assured us to complete the work by 2019," said Adhikari. This under-construction bridge will play a pivotal role in connecting Kalaiya with the six-lane Birgunj-Pathlaiya road.The delay in the construction of the bridge has made it difficult for the locals of Jitpursimara Sub-metropolis, Parwanipur Rural Municipality, Prasauni Rural Municipality among others to reach the district headquarters Kalaiya. Kumod Dhakal, administrative officer of Simara-based Jagdamba steels said that locals are obliged to take lengthy alternative routes as there is no bridge.

The patients suffering from various illnesses are the ones to suffer the most due to the delay in the construction of the bridge. This has deprived them of timely treatment. The representatives of the company have assured to speed up the construction after the level of water recedes in the river.

 
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