RUKUM, Dec 4: Work on a bridge at Garaghat over the Sani Bheri River that connects Musikot Municipality-1 and Bafikot Rural Municipality-10 has come to a halt for the past eight months
Construction work was stopped eight months ago, citing rising water level in the river due to monsoon rains. But work has not resumed even though water level has receded significantly. Officials of Division Road Office, Chaurjahari, say that construction work will resume after the provincial and parliamentary elections.
One killed in jeep accident in Sani Bheri
The bridge was entrusted to Nagarjun Construction Company about a year ago. As per the contract document, the project has to be completed within three years. But construction work has not seen significant progress even though one year has already elapsed.
The project cost is Rs 90 million, according to Nabin Sah, engineer at the Division Road Office, Chaurjahari. “Construction work was scheduled to resume from mid-October. But it was postponed as elections were just around the corner,” he added.
Due to delay in construction of bridge, drivers of motor vehicles have to take a long detour to use a Bailey bridge to cross the river, while two-wheelers are using a suspension bridge to cross the river.
The contractor has managed to erect pillars on one side of the construction site so far. The bridge will be 80 meters long.
Locals of the area have expressed dissatisfaction over slow pace of construction. They have demanded that the concerned authorities expedite construction works.
