Kathmandu. The contract for the construction of bridges over Budhiganga River at Maure and Thulisanghu River has been canceled. The construction work of two bridges that were stalled for the construction of the second side has been started after the construction of the bridge over the years.

The construction process has moved ahead after the contract of the bridge was canceled as the work of the bridge which was supposed to be completed within three years has not started yet.

A contract agreement was signed on January 25, 2021 to construct a bridge over the Budhiganga River to connect Budhiganga and Triveni municipalities.

Mahakali Bridge Project Mahendranagar had signed an agreement with Kathmandu-based Bikoi Builders Pvt Ltd to complete the project by March 2081 at a cost of Rs 162.1 million. However, the Mahakali Bridge Project Office had recommended cancelling the contract and blacklisting the company after the contractor company did not start the work even after the deadline had expired.

After this, the dispute reached the court, after the court ruled in favor of the project office in 2083 BS, the process of constructing the bridge has now started, said Rabi Shah, information officer of the Mahakali Bridge Project. Mayor of Triveni Municipality Karna Bahadur Thapa said that due to the lack of a bridge over the Budhigang River, the vehicular movement is completely disrupted throughout the municipality during the rainy season and they are compelled to travel on the risky river in winter.

According to him, the Maure bridge is not only the physical infrastructure connecting Budhigang and Triveni, but also an important infrastructure as the main gateway to Badimalika area. He said that if the bridge over the river is completed, it will be easier to travel to Badimalika. Another bridge that has been stuck for years is Thulisanghu Khola of Badimalika Municipality under the Martadi-Ghatmuna road section near the district headquarters.

The contract agreement was signed for the construction of the bridge over the river and the unfinished bridge over the Budhiganga river in the same package through Mahakali Bridge Project Mahendranagar. Mahendranagar had signed an agreement on February 23, 2020 to complete the construction of the bridge within three years (2081). Bikoi Builders Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu had signed a contract agreement for the construction of a concrete bridge of 30 meters length and 11 meters width over the river at a cost of Rs 162.1 million.

Citizens of Gaumul, Badimalika and Khaptad Chhededaha rural municipalities have been facing problems due to the lack of bridges over the river every year. Mahakali Bridge Project Mahendranagar Information Officer Shah said that although the contract was signed for the construction of bridges over both the rivers, the contract had to be cancelled due to the negligence of the construction company.

The process was started through the Nepal Infrastructure Company under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development to proceed with the construction of both the bridges, which have been stalled for years. In the absence of the bridge, there is a problem of complete obstruction of movement between the concerned local governments.

Earlier, in preparation for the construction process, technicians were deployed at both the project sites and site verification was also done. The problem of the construction of development projects in the district is widespread due to the construction companies not working even though the contract agreement has been signed.

The expected progress has not been made due to the lack of work on the rural roads, bridges, buildings and two roads of the Far-Western Province government in the district. According to the Infrastructure Development Office, Achham, the budget allocated for road upgradation and blacktopping every year has been returned due to the construction company not working on time.

In the last fiscal year 2082/83, Rs 200 million was withdrawn for the Martadi-Kolti road and Rs 135 million for the road connecting Martadi via Khaptad-Gairikhad-Atichaur. PS Baniya Construction Service has taken the responsibility of the Martadi-Kolti road construction while KSM KBC/Tej JV, Dhangadhi Kailali has been awarded for the road connecting Martadi via Khaptad-Gairikhad-Aatichaur.

Due to the lack of timely completion of big development projects, it has a direct impact on the daily life of the citizens here. Locals complain that due to the lack of roads and bridges, transport services are affected, it is difficult to transport products to the market, and basic services like health and education are also affected.

The delay of the contractors, lack of budget, technical problems, continuous monitoring of the concerned bodies, lack of effective coordination are the reasons for the delay in the projects. However, the problem has been repeating due to the failure to make the bodies responsible for the construction of the project and the contractors on time.

It is not enough to only allocate the budget in the name of development. It is necessary to regularly monitor whether the work has been done as per the allocated budget, make the contractors accountable and complete the incomplete projects with priority.