MUSTANG: The construction of the Lete-Dhampu Prestige Bridge in Thasang Rural Municipality, Mustang, has faced repeated delays, causing frustration among local residents.
The bridge, which aims to connect remote villages across the Kaligandaki River, has been stalled multiple times due to delays and alleged negligence by the construction company.
The Prestige Motorable Bridge project falls under the Infrastructure Development Office of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure of Gandaki Province. A contract was signed with Dev & Sayer Construction on March 9, 2020, at a cost of Rs 50.5 million. The initial agreement set a completion deadline of September 13, 2021, giving the company a period of one and a half years to finish the bridge.
The Lete-Dhampu bridge, spanning 35 meters in length and 7.9 meters in width (including a footpath), has had its contract extended four times. The latest deadline has been set for July 15, 2026, according to Jita Giri, Chief of the Infrastructure Development Office. As of now, the physical progress of the bridge stands at 33.13 percent, while financial progress has reached 55 percent.
The office has released Rs 16.362 million for construction so far. The RCC foundation and abutment structures, including cap slopes, have been completed, connecting the Beni-Jomsom national road to the Kaligandaki River. However, work on the slab slope, approach road, and bridge finishing is still pending.
Chief Giri stated that construction resumed last week after a long halt. He emphasized that the company must erect the slab slope promptly, as the Kaligandaki River level rises significantly during the rainy season. Equipment and manpower have already been mobilized to the site to expedite the work.
Local residents have welcomed the resumption of construction. Villages on both sides of the river have faced significant challenges due to the absence of a bridge, particularly in transporting agricultural produce.
Naveen Sherchan, a local resident, highlighted the importance of the bridge, saying it will facilitate marketing of agricultural produce from several settlements across the Kaligandaki. He added that it is unfortunate that the bridge has not been completed after six years and urged that no further delays should occur in this crucial infrastructure project.
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