Dhangadhi-Dipayal expressway: Additional Rs 15 crore sought for bridge construction payments

Dhangadhi: The Dhangadhi-Dipayal Expressway project requires an additional budget of Rs 15 crore to cover pending payments for the construction of eight bridges.

An agreement was signed with Mitra Builders on Magh 22, 2078, for the construction of three bridges—on the Mateli River (Rs 3.26 crore), Chowkigada (Rs 4.70 crore), and Chepatte River (Rs 2.97 crore). The project was originally scheduled for completion by Baisakh 15, 2080, but after delays, an extension was granted until Kartik 15, 2080. Despite the extension, the work remains unfinished.

According to Dinesh Raikhola, Information Officer at the Dhangadhi-Dipayal-Chainpur-Urai Bhanjyang Road Planning Office, the bridges are now expected to be completed by Asad. He stated, "The slope has been reduced to the cap level, and slabs will be laid by mid-Asar. The paving in Chowkigada and Salkot has been completed, and six bridges will be finished by Asad."

Delays in Additional Bridge Constructions

A contract was also signed with TDR Construction on Magh 17, 2078 BS, for the construction of the Kala Khola Lamagada Bridge at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore. Similarly, an agreement with Malika-Shanidev JV on Baisakh 16, 2078 BS, set a cost of Rs 3.82 crore for the Nakuradi River Bridge, both of which were due by Baisakh 15, 2080. However, these projects remain incomplete.

Furthermore, Galwa-Jagadamba-Surma Sarovar JV was contracted on Magh 16, 2078 BS, to construct the Salkot Khola Bridge at Rs 3.97 crore, with the same completion deadline of Baisakh 15, 2080 BS. Contracts for Hatkholi Khola and Gwasi Khola Bridges were signed on Jestha 25, 2078, with Gullibhar-Kutumba-Bhuvaneshwori JVSAG for Rs 5.19 crore and Rs 4.61 crore, respectively. Their completion deadline was Mangsir 24, 2080 BS, but work remains pending.

Durga Dutta Ojha, Chairman of Jorayal Rural Municipality, Doti, expressed frustration over the delays, stating, "The Khutiya-Dipayal Expressway road construction has been completed, and contracts for the bridges have been signed, yet the contractors are failing to complete the work."

Additional Budget Required to Complete the Project

The federal government had initially allocated Rs 6.4 crore for the construction of the eight bridges. Of this, Rs 4.5 crore has already been spent in the 2081/082 BS fiscal year, leaving only Rs 1.8 crore remaining. A payment bill of Rs 51 lakh has been submitted to the Planning Office, but the Ministry of Finance has halted payments.

With Rs 15 crore worth of work still pending completion by Asad, an additional budget of Rs 15 crore has been requested to ensure payments for the bridges that have been stalled for an extended period. The Planning Office maintains that construction of the remaining six bridges will be finished by Asar, but financial constraints could hinder progress.