Myagdi. MYAGDI: The construction work of the 25-megawatt Darwang Myagdi Khola Hydropower Project at Malika and Dhawalagiri rural municipalities of Myagdi district has been removed from today after a month.

Locals of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality had halted the construction of the Darwang-Dangkhola-Dharapani-Takam-Muna-Lulang-Gurja road section along the border of Malika rural municipality-5 and Dhawalagiri rural municipality-7 for six years.

According to Resham Pun Magar, vice-chairperson of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality, the decision was made to withdraw their agitation in consultation with the political parties and local leaders as the construction of motorable bridges would begin within the current fiscal year as per the demands of the locals.

Managing Director of Dhaulagiri Kalika Hydro, Harkman Magar, pledged to start and complete the bridge construction as soon as possible by fulfilling the legal process. The Infrastructure Development Office, Myagdi and Indreni-Phewa JV Pokhara had signed a contract agreement for the construction of the bridge over Dang rivulet at a cost of Rs 193,29,457 on June 5, 2019.

At a time when preparations were underway to start the construction of the 18-meter long motorable bridge which was scheduled to be completed by June 3, 2020, it was agreed to request the provincial government to construct a bridge 200 meters above the proposed dam of the Darwang Myagdi River Hydropower Project.

The construction of the hydropower project was halted until the construction of the bridge was started due to pressure as the contractors had not started the construction of the bridge after the contractor went to court citing reasons including not allowing the project to be completed on time.

Local people of Gurja, Lulang, Muna, Mudi and Takam have been facing problems in mobility due to the delay in the construction of a temporary bridge over the Dang rivulet that was dilapidated.