Nepal UK
Siraha - The construction of a bridge over the Kamala River, which connects Siraha and Dhanusha districts, has been unfinished for 14 years. The contractor was given the project in the fiscal year 2011/2012, with a promise to complete the 469-meter-long bridge within three years.
Because of this long delay, people living in both districts are facing serious difficulties. They have to risk their lives crossing the river using a temporary wooden bridge.
“We have been struggling for a very long time,” said Prabin Yadav from Siraha-6. He added that although the wooden bridge is unsafe, people don’t have any other option.
Adding to the problem, motorcycle riders are being charged up to Rs 50 to cross the wooden bridge, even though the local municipality has said that no fees should be collected.
Originally, the Pappu-Lumbini Joint Venture was responsible for building the bridge. But after Pappu Construction was blacklisted, Lumbini Builders took over the work.
Unfortunately, construction has stopped again for the last month. Lumbini Builders say they have not received their insurance payment to cover flood damage, which has caused the delay.
Ranjit Kumar Raya, an engineer at the Postal Highway Directorate Planning Office in Janakpur, said the authorities have started the process to blacklist Lumbini Builders because of their failure to finish the project and halting work. (Sources: RSS reporting and local media outlets)
