Bhojpur. The under-construction Chuhar bridge over the Dudhkoshi River that connects Bhojpur and Udayapur is still incomplete even after five years. The construction of the bridge was started in 2077 BS with the target of completing it in two years.

The Koshi Province government had awarded the contract for the construction of the bridge to Kalika-Pacific JV at a cost of Rs 212.31 crore. Initially, the construction of pillars had started on both sides but the work was left incomplete.

The three local rural municipalities of Bhojpur, Ram Prasad Rai, Hatuwagadhi and Aamchowk rural municipalities of Bhojpur district held a joint meeting to draw the attention of the province government.

Tham Bahadur Rai, chairperson of Ram Prasad Rai Rural Municipality, said the delay in the construction of the bridge has directly affected the locals of all three rural municipalities. “The bridge that was supposed to be constructed by the state government in two years has not been completed even after five years. The delay in the work has directly affected the citizens. ’

The meeting was attended by Hatuwagadhi rural municipality chair Prem Kumar Rai, Aamchowk rural municipality vice-chair Ashok Rai, chief administrative officers of all three municipalities and representatives of the concerned bodies.

Locals have been compelled to cross the Dudhkoshi river risky for years after the construction of the Chuhar bridge, which is the main road linking the southern region to the districts of the Terai, has been halted.

The bridge, which was laid the foundation stone for on October 11, 2020, connects Hasanpur of Hatuwagadhi-9 of Bhojpur and Mainamani of Belka Municipality-7 of Udayapur. The length of the bridge will be 90 meters and the width of the bridge will be 10.5 meters.

According to the locals, the construction of the bridge would ease the movement, trade and social connectivity in the area. Locals are disappointed as the construction work has been stalled for a long time.