KATHMANDU: The contract for constructing the Kankai Bridge, which has remained incomplete for 14 years, connecting Jhapa Rural Municipality-2 and Gauriganj Rural Municipality-1 along the Postal Highway, has been officially terminated.
On Thursday, the Planning Office, Itahari, under the Postal Highway Directorate of the Department of Roads, ended the contract with Pappu Mahadev Khimti Joint Venture (JV), which had been awarded the project in May 2011.
The 723-meter-long bridge, planned under a design-and-build model, was initially scheduled for completion by July 2015. Despite five extensions, construction progress has reached only about 56 percent. The contract was valued at Rs 340million, including taxes, and the Performance Guarantee of Rs 17.1 million will now be forfeited.
The Planning Office had given the contractor a 15-day notice in late October, seeking clarification on delays. “The explanation provided by the contractor was unsatisfactory, and they failed to present a credible plan, allocate resources, or commit to completing the work. Therefore, the contract has been terminated in accordance with the Public Procurement Act,” said Yubaraj Pokhrel, Chief of the Planning Office, Itahari.
The remaining work will be completed using government funds, and the contractor has also been recommended to be blacklisted. Officials have called on the contractor to be present within 15 days for updated measurements and financial settlement; otherwise, the office will proceed with its own assessment.
Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Kulman Ghising had inspected the site in mid-October and assured local residents of swift action. He stressed that the practice of awarding contracts without completion must end. The bridge’s delay has caused severe hardship for residents and hindered trade, business, and tourism.
Of the 19 planned spans, eight have been completed. Among the remaining 11, two have girders installed, six have foundations laid, and three are still pending foundation work. Technical tests had revealed flaws in earlier construction, which were partially corrected by the contractor. With the contract deadline expired, the Planning Office has now taken over responsibility to complete the long-stalled project.
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