Two Kanchanpur bridges remain incomplete even after nine years

Kanchanpur: Two concrete bridges in Kanchanpur district, which were supposed to be completed within three years, have remained unfinished even after nine years. The construction of the Odal Khola bridge along the Krishnapur Municipality-1 Bank–Budar–Nayal road section and the Musepani Khola bridge connecting Bedkot Municipality-6 and 7 has now reached the final stage.

According to Harish Prasad Joshi, Information Officer at the Road Division Office, Mahendranagar, the contract for the Odal Khola bridge was signed on Jestha 10, 2074 BS, with a completion deadline of three years and a total cost of Rs. 154.3 million. Likewise, an agreement for the Musepani Khola bridge was signed on Bhadra 17, 2073 BS, to be completed within two years at a cost of Rs. 54.7 million. However, both projects missed multiple deadlines, resulting in repeated extensions.

Joshi said a 10 percent fine was imposed on the contractor company for failing to complete the Odal Khola bridge on time. The deadline for the Musepani River bridge has now been extended until mid-Kartik 2082 BS. The physical progress of the Musepani River bridge has reached 95 percent, while the Odal River bridge stands at 93 percent. “The substructure, superstructure, and embankment of both bridges have been completed,” Joshi said. “Currently, only the access roads remain unfinished.”

The Odal River bridge is 40 meters long, and the Musepani River bridge spans 160 meters. Both are being built using modern pre-stressed technology. Financial progress for the Odal River bridge stands at Rs. 45.2 million, with 10 percent already recovered, while the Musepani River bridge has reached Rs. 133 million in financial progress. Although construction delays were caused by the contractor’s inefficiency, work has now accelerated, according to officials.

Local residents have faced severe difficulties due to the prolonged delay. During the rainy season, they were forced to cross the river on foot, risking their lives, and ambulances often could not reach the area. “For years, we had to carry patients across the river when ambulances couldn’t come,” said Gaya Prasad Chaudhary, a resident of Krishnapur Municipality-1. “Although it took time, the new bridge will finally make travel easier.”

Once operational, the bridges are expected to significantly improve local transportation, trade, and the movement of agricultural goods. Residents along the Bank–Budar–Nayal road section and the Musepani area of Bedkot hope that the long-standing issue of river crossing will finally be resolved. The Road Division Office has stated that it aims to complete the access roads and finishing work soon and bring both bridges into operation within the current fiscal year.