Bridges: Dhulikhel's Sundikhola finished in 17 months, Gandigad stalled for 16

A permanent bridge over the Sundikhola in Dhulikhel Municipality-10 of Kavrepalanchok has been completed and put into operation in just 17 months, while the bridge over the Gandigad, on the border of Achham and Doti, has made no progress even 16 months after the contract was signed.

According to Keshav Pokharel, chief accountant at the Infrastructure Development Office, Dhulikhel, the Sundikhola bridge was completed within the contract period at a cost of around Rs 17.9 million. M/S Lama Pragati Nirman Sewa of Roshi Rural Municipality-2 had won the construction contract.

Ward chair Govinda Prasad Bhandari said the bridge was built because traffic pressure had been increasing, and that it has since made it easier for ambulances and other emergency services to operate and to transport agricultural produce to market.

On the other hand, the Infrastructure Development Office, Sanfebagar, had signed a contract worth around Rs 52.1 million for a 40-metre bridge connecting Sokat in Chaurpati Rural Municipality-2, Achham, with Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality-8, Doti. SSNS CPCS-AC JV of Dhangadhi-5 had won that contract.

Rocks dislodged by a dozer while excavating the access road have damaged the old suspension bridge there, which local residents are compelled to cross almost every day. Chaurpati chair Bhim Bahadur Saud has alleged that the office has shown no interest despite repeated requests.