DAMAULI: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising has directed the contractor to resume construction of the Ghumaune Bridge, connecting Aabukhaireni Rural Municipality–5 in Tanahu and Bharatpur Metropolitan City–29 in Chitwan, within one month. He warned that failure to restart the work could lead to the termination of the contract.
During an inspection at the project site on Wednesday, Minister Ghising said the long-delayed bridge has become a matter of national concern. “The Ghumaune Bridge must be completed at any cost. Even the President has expressed concern over this project. Do the work; otherwise, the contract will be cancelled,” he told the contractor.
Construction of the bridge began 11 years ago, but so far only the pillars on both sides have been completed. The project was initially awarded to Mrit Sanjiwoni Nirman Sewa Pvt Ltd, Hetauda in 2070 BS and re-awarded in 2075 BS. According to the Road Division Office, overall physical progress is around 50 percent.
The planned bridge will span 105 meters in length and 11 meters in width, including footpaths, at an estimated cost of Rs 95.6 million. Once completed, the motorable bridge on Buddhasingh Marg will shorten the travel distance from Pokhara and Damauli to Narayangadh by 23 kilometers compared to the current Mugling–Narayangadh route, improving connectivity between Gandaki Province and Chitwan.
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