JHAPA: Construction of three modern bridges along the western section of the Kakarbhitta-Laukahi road project under the Asian Highway has been affected by a shortage of steel.
According to project chief Jagat Prajapati, bridges using modern “steel arch” technology are being constructed over the Ratuwa River in Jhapa and the Lohandra and Bakraha rivers in Morang under the project’s fifth package. He said construction has been affected by the unavailability of the required steel.
Prajapati said steel had previously been transported through the Kerung-Rasuwagadhi border following the closure of the Tatopani border. However, supplies were completely disrupted after the Bhotekoshi flood on August 26 blocked the road.
He said the required 420-grade steel is not available in Nepal and must therefore be imported from India. Delays in receiving the material have affected the pace of construction.
“Currently, we are ordering the required steel for the bridge construction from India,” he said. “Quality 420-grade steel is not available in Nepal. Since we have to import it, we have faced problems because the material does not arrive on time even from India.”
According to the project, the three bridges have achieved around 40 percent physical progress. Construction of the Ratuwa Bridge is 52 percent complete. Although the bridges are scheduled to be completed by January 15, 2027, under the contract agreement, Prajapati said completing the work on time would be difficult because of the shortage of construction materials.
A 585-metre-long bridge is being constructed over the Ratuwa River, a 385-metre-long bridge over the Lohandra River and a 318-metre-long bridge over the Bakraha River. Modern “steel arch” technology will be used for all three bridges.
COVEC-CREGC-China State Seventh JV has secured the contract to construct the three bridges at a cost of Rs 5 billion. Prajapati said a Chinese company would carry out the high-tech work related to the bridges’ steel structures, while a Nepali partner company would undertake the remaining civil construction works.
The 585-metre-long signature bridge over the Ratuwa River will include a 264-metre steel arch section, with the remaining portion constructed of concrete. The bridge will have three spans. The 385-metre-long Lohandra Bridge will have two steel spans of 80 metres each. The 318-metre-long Bakraha Bridge will also have two spans.
Construction work on the bridges is continuing despite the rainy season. The Ratuwa River bridge is currently being given priority, while construction of the Lohandra and Bakraha bridges will be accelerated after the Ratuwa Bridge is completed, Prajapati said.
The three bridges are being constructed along a roughly 40-kilometre section of the road from Sitapuri in Jhapa to Gothgaun in Morang.
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