Pokhara: Altogether 11 bridges have been constructed while two remain under-construction in the western section (Pokhara-Jamune) of the Pokhara-Muglin Road Project. Bridges were built over various streams and rivers including Myagde Khola, Kumle Khola, Thade Khola, Samdhi Khola, Mul Khola, Phedi Khola-1, Phedi Khola-2, Haledi Khola, Kali Khola in Tanahu district, and Katre Khola in Kaski district.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Chief of the Project’s Western Section, Krishna Bahadur Kunwar, shared that a bridge is being built at Bijaypur in Kaski district as a part of the road contract and another at Seti in Kaski district through a bridge contract. The bridge at Bijayapur has achieved 60 percent physical progress while the one at Seti has recorded 48 percent progress so far.
As the deadline for the three-year contract for the bridge construction at Seti approaches mid-September, its physical progress remains sluggish, drawing concern from commoners. The Rasuwa Construction was awarded the contract to set up this bridge in 2022.
Kunwar attributed the dismal progress in the construction of the bridge at Seti to factors such as late approval of the bridge design and delay in removing infrastructures within the designated area among others. The substructure works related to the cable-stayed bridge were completed while superstructure works are currently in progress.
The construction company noted that while it would take longer to construct the foundation of this signature bridge, which will have an attractive design, the upper structures including the tower will be completed early. Two signature bridges with attractive designs will be built above and below the current ‘China Bridge’ on the six-lane road.
The bridges are being built by the Department of Road with loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank. The total construction cost for these two infrastructures is estimated at Rs 940 million excluding VAT. Both bridges were designed by a team comprising international technical experts.