SIRAHA: The construction of a 469-metre bridge over the Kamala River, meant to connect Siraha and Dhanusha districts, has remained incomplete for 14 years, forcing locals to rely on a risky makeshift wooden bridge.
The project, awarded in 2011 with a three-year completion deadline, was first contracted to Pappu-Lumbini JV. Pappu Construction was later blacklisted, and Lumbini Builders took over, but work has been halted for the past month, with the company citing unpaid insurance claims for flood damage.
Locals say the delay has caused severe hardship. “The wooden bridge is risky, but we have no choice,” said Prabin Yadav of Siraha-6. Motorcycle riders are reportedly charged up to Rs 50 to cross, despite the municipality stating it should be free.
Postal Highway Directorate Planning Office engineer Ranjit Kumar Raya said the process has begun to blacklist Lumbini Builders for failing to resume work.
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