KATHMANDU, Dec 25: A signature bridge is going to be constructed over the Narayani River. With the government preparing to upgrade the East-West highway as the 'Asian Highway', another two-lane bridge is going to be built over the river.

The present bridge over the Narayani River is a bridge built in 2038 BS. As this bridge is getting dilapidated, a new bridge is going to be constructed near the religious place of Devghat. In the year 2075 BS, the World Bank agreed to invest four billion rupees to build signature bridges at four different locations in Nepal.

According to the same agreement, the bridge to be built over Narayani is the first signature bridge over the Narayani River. According to the bridge division under the Department of Roads, signature bridges have been constructed in various places in Nepal so far. The bridge over the Trishuli River in Mugling and the bridge in Kathmandu's Bijuli Bazar are also signature bridges.

A signature bridge includes an arch bridge, cable networking arch, suspension and other structures. According to the department, signature bridges will be constructed on the Tinau River in Butwal, Bagmati River connecting Sarlahi and Rautahat and on the Damauli River.

The bridge department under the road department called for tenders for the construction of a signature bridge over the Narayani River connecting Chitwan and Nawalparasi's Gaindakot on October 19. None of the construction companies competed in the bids which were called with a deadline of 30 days.

The department again called for tenders on December 6 with a deadline of 15 days. Bindu Kumar Shrestha, deputy director general of the road department, said that only two companies participated in the tender called for the second time. "No construction company participated in the first tender called for the construction of Narayani's signature bridge. Two construction companies competed in the second tender,” he said.

Deputy Director General Shrestha claimed that the company to build the signature bridge would be finalized within two months. "At present, we are doing the technical and financial evaluation of both companies. Probably within two months, the construction company will be decided," he said.

According to the department, the design and construction of the signature bridge to be built over the Narayani River will have to be done by the construction company itself. The bridge will be 425 meters long and 11 meters wide. "The company selected through the tender will prepare and submit the design of the signature bridge," said Deputy Director General Shrestha. "The construction work will proceed only after the design submitted by the construction company is approved by the division." It is estimated that one and a half billion rupees will be spent for the construction of this bridge.

 
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