Minister Lamsal directs initiation of guide bond construction process for Mahakali bridge

Mahendranagar: Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal has directed authorities to proceed with the construction of the guide bond along with the four-lane concrete bridge being built over the Mahakali River in Kanchanpur.

During an on-site inspection of the under-construction four-lane bridge at Bhimdatta Municipality-12 in Kanchanpur this morning, Minister Lamsal instructed the concerned office to initiate a new contract process for the construction of the guide bond alongside the bridge.

Although the construction of the four-lane concrete bridge and related structures has reached 95 percent completion, a dispute remains with the construction company regarding the construction of the guide bond. The bridge construction company Kumar-CFEC JV had written to the Mahakali Bridge Planning Office, Kanchanpur in 2082 Baisakh, stating that the new design of the guide bond and the Variation Order (VO) had not been finalized.

The matter is currently under discussion in the Arbitration Tribunal. Minister Lamsal expressed the view that a new contract process should be initiated after the construction company breached the contract. “The Road Department will carry out the work itself; there is no need to wait for the arbitration tribunal,” he said. “The new contract process should be initiated.”

The bridge, estimated to cost Rs 3.77 billion, had reached 95 percent completion three years ago.

Minister Lamsal also carried out on-site monitoring of the under-construction Dodhara Chandani Dry Port and Majhagaun Airport in Kanchanpur. During the inspection of the airport project, he stated that the issue of land acquisition under the Nepal Army for the airport would be resolved soon.