Dharan. It has been seven years since the construction of the bridge over the Leduwa River at Devi village of Dharan Sub-metropolis-5 started. As per the agreement, the construction of the bridge should have been completed four years ago. Locals have been facing problems due to the lack of bridges.

An agreement for the construction of the bridge was signed between the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development of Koshi Province and World Trade Construction Company at a cost of Rs 12.1 million 86 thousand 813. As per the agreement, the construction of the bridge was supposed to be completed by July 23, 2021.

However, only 50 percent of the bridge construction has been completed, said Man Prasad Limbu, chairperson of Dharan Sub-metropolis-5. According to him, the pillars on both sides have been lifted and now all the bushes have been covered. Other structural works are in limbo.

Transportation to and from Dharan sub-metropolis-5 and 4 as well as Dharan bazaar has been affected due to the lack of the bridge. Villagers are compelled to risk their lives to cross the river as the river floods during the rainy season. “It is difficult to take the patients to the hospital if they fall sick, but the flood will destroy them even if we try to construct a temporary bamboo bridge,” said Limbu.

According to Nar Bahadur Magar, a local, children who have to cross the river to go to school face more problems during the rainy season. During floods, children have to stay on the banks of the river for hours. “There is also problem in transporting agricultural products produced in the village to Dharan and we hope it would be easier if the bridge is constructed,” he said.

Dharan-5 has a school running classes up to grade 5. To study from class 6 to upper grade, one has to reach Dharan Bazaar across the river. Students from Mantar, Sumantar, Muktilal, Nishan Danda and Tallo Nishan hills are compelled to go to school risking every day.

Locals have complained that the contractor company has not been working despite extending the deadline time and again. “We called the contractor on March 26 and reached an agreement to complete the project by mid-June, but now we are not in contact,” said Limbu.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Bhupendra Rai had carried out an onsite inspection of the bridge in April. According to Minister Rai, the process of confiscating the deposit was initiated by cancelling the contract of the contractor company that did not complete the work. He, however, said that the construction work could not move ahead after the contractor company took a stay order from the court.