MUSTANG: The under-construction Ghami Khola bridge in Loghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality–2 of Upper Mustang, which connects Korala to the Nepal–China border, has reached its final stage.
Physical progress of the bridge has reached around 80 percent, and efforts are underway to complete the project within the current fiscal year.
The contract for the single-span, 40-metre-long bridge was signed on January 2019. Himdhung Thokkar & Immortal JV undertook the project at a cost of Rs 68 million.
According to Rural Municipality Chairperson Lopsang Chomphel Bista, although the road section was completed earlier, bridge construction remained stalled for a long period.
He said vehicle movement across Ghami Khola will become much easier once the bridge is completed. As per the agreement, the bridge was originally scheduled for completion by December 2021.
The construction company had cited adverse weather conditions and heavy snowfall as reasons for the delay. However, after failing to resume work despite repeated requests, the contractor was given a six-month ultimatum and subjected to daily penalties, including a fine of 0.05 percent of the contract cost.
Project Chief Tejaswi Sharma said that 14 bridges have already been completed along the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road connecting the Korala checkpoint. He added that the Ghami Khola Bridge in Upper Mustang is also expected to be completed within the current fiscal year.
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