Surkhet. The construction of cemented bridges in West Jajarkot has gained momentum. Three bridges are going to be constructed with the investment of the Karnali Province government.

Construction of a cemented bridge over Lamti rivulet in between Chhedagad municipality-10/11 along the Jajarkot-Jumla road section has begun. Locals are happy with the start of the construction of the 25-meter long bridge. Bajranga Glorious MBS JV Kathmandu won the contract for Rs 34.2 million, 10 thousand 612.22.

The construction work was started on April 15, 2083 BS with the agreement being signed on April 15, 2083 BS. So far, seven people have died after being swept away by the river at the bridge construction site, said Jayanath Yogi, ward chairman of Chhedagad municipality-10. “We will now be directly connected with the local levels of Jajarkot in the west,” he said. It has become easier to carry out works in other municipalities besides collecting materials for the construction of the road connecting Jumla via Chhedagad and Kushe. Now people don’t have to die for lack of bridges. Instead, our demand is that the construction of the bridge should be completed on time. ”

Likewise, construction of a 42.7-metre-long bailey bridge over Chheda rivulet of Chhedagad municipality-6 and Lamatara of Junichande-5 has been completed. With the construction of the bridge, it has become easier for the two municipalities to travel here. Gaurav Hendrick Engineering JV Bharatpur-16 Chitwan had constructed the project as per the agreement reached on April 6, 2081 BS to complete the construction work on May 13, 2083. The contract was signed with the construction company for Rs 3,82,28,376.60. Minister for Financial Affairs and Planning Rajib Bikram Shah thanked the contractors for constructing the bridge before the deadline. “There are many people who have taken contracts here but are left stranded,” he said. However, the bridge was built before the contract date. ”

Likewise, construction of two 25-metre long Peepal road bridges linking Shivalaya Rural Municipality 2/8 has begun. Bhupendra Jaisi, chief engineer of Infrastructure Development Office, Jajarkot, said that the project is going to be constructed at a cost of Rs 31.5 million. According to him, the construction work has started as per the agreement to complete the construction work on April 15, 2083 BS. Kathmandu has taken responsibility for the construction of Bajranga Glorious MBS JV.

The bridge has been in limbo for five years

Problems have surfaced due to the lack of a concrete bridge over the Salma River (Khara) in Jajarkot along the Chhedachande-Jumla road section. On October 12, 2021, the bridge over Salma Khola (Khara) connecting Chhedagad Municipality-1 and 4 was signed with Nepal Megha Sisne JV Nepalgunj. The contractor who was awarded the contract to complete the project at a cost of Rs 48.88 million on February 11, 2080 has been left in limbo after completing the construction of two pillars.

Jaisi, chief of the Infrastructure Office, informed that the contractors have filed a case against the contractors for scrapping the contract. After inspecting the bridge, Minister Shah said, “There is no result as those who took responsibility for the construction of the bridge but left the work midway.” Even though we have been allocating budget for such projects every year, it has been ‘frozen’ due to lack of expenditure. Since then, the progress of the state government has also been hampered. Even though the budget was allocated in four fiscal years, the amount is coming to the main account due to lack of work. ”

The budget allocated annually is deposited in the state treasury as the contractors do not work in some contracts awarded by the state government. Vehicles plying along the road section have been facing problems every day as the contracting work awarded by the Infrastructure Development Office, Jajarkot has been stuck in the middle. “The Infrastructure Development Office has issued a bank guarantee, and the materials are the same,” said Shahi, who runs the construction business. He did not extend the deadline, so he went to court. ”

Locals of Junichande Rural Municipality, Kuse Rural Municipality and Chhedagad Municipality have been facing problems in commuting to Nepalgunj, Surkhet and Kathmandu for lack of bridge over Salma River, said engineer Prem KC of Chhedagad Municipality.

Locals of Chhedagad Municipality-1 and 2 are compelled to enter the river for lack of alternative route to reach the administrative centre. According to Jaisi, chief of Infrastructure Development Office, the construction of the bridge has not been completed after Nepal Megha Sisne JV Nepalgunj applied for extension of the deadline as per the 13th amendment. It has been found that no work has been done except the work of extending the deadline.

In order to ease transportation for most of the residents of Chhedagad Municipality, Junichande and Kuse Rural Municipality, Chhedagad Municipality had constructed a causeway over Salma Khola in its first term by spending more than Rs 8 million from the budget of Prime Minister Employment Programme.

It was difficult for the general public to commute smoothly during the rainy season after the causeway constructed in June was swept away by the floods. Locals have accused the local people’s representatives and other stakeholders of not paying any heed to the contractors who have been leaving the contractors in limbo without completing the work for five years. The bridge connects the Mid-Hill Highway and the Bheri Corridor.