GANDAKI: 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- 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 Pokhara-Muglin Road Project.
Chief of the Project’s Western Section, Krishna Bahadur Kunwar, shared that a bridge was being built at Bijaypur in Kaski district as a part of the road contract and another one at Seti in Kaski district through a bridge contract.
The bridge at Bijayapur has achieved 60 percent physical progress while another at Seti recorded 48 per cent physical progress so far.
As the deadline for the three-year contract for bridge construction at Seti approaches near, mid-September, its physical progress remains sluggish, drawing concern from commoners.
The Rasuwa Construction was awarded contract to set up this bridge in 2022.
Kunwar attributed the dismal progress in 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.
He added that the substructure works related to the cable-stayed bridge were completed while superstructure works are currently in progress.
Although it would take longer to construct foundation of this signature bridge which will have an attractive design, the upper structures including tower will be completed early, according to the construction company.
Two signature bridges with attractive design 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 in a loan assistance of the Asian Development Bank. The total construction cost for these two infrastructures is estimated at Rs 940 million excluding VAT.
Both the bridges were designed by a team, comprising international technical experts.
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