Construction Progress of Dudhaura Bridge and Kalaiya-Matirwa Road

Construction businessmen have pledged to complete the construction of the Dudhaura Bridge in Bara, which lies on the Pathalaiya-Dhalkebar section of the East-West Highway, by the upcoming Poush. 

Following complaints about the main highway bridge construction being stalled for years, Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, conducted an on-site inspection of the bridge construction on Friday.

Minister Ghising discussed the bridge's completion schedule, remaining work, and challenges with the Director General of the Department of Roads and the construction businessmen.

Stating that passengers have suffered greatly due to the delay in the construction of the main highway bridge, Minister Ghising emphasized that work should not be halted citing the electricity line, and it must be completed immediately. He mentioned that the 11 kV line passing near the bridge does not affect the construction.

Ravi Singh of Mahadev Khimti-Hirachan Joint Venture (JV) Kathmandu, which was awarded the bridge construction contract, committed to completing the construction within the most recently extended deadline. 

Singh, who is also the President of the Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal, stated that the bridge construction will be completed and handed over to the Department of Roads by Poush.

The contract agreement for the construction of the four-lane, 90-meter-long concrete bridge was signed with Mahadev Khimti-Hirachan JV on Ashar 24, 2075 BS for an amount of NPR 17 crore 22 lakh (including tax). 

As per the initial agreement, the bridge construction was supposed to be completed by July Ashar 2078 BS. According to the latest extension, the bridge must be completed by the upcoming Poush. The physical progress of the bridge stands at 85%.

The construction company, headed by President Singh, has faced extensive criticism for allegedly stalling and failing to complete various projects on time. The Minister's inspection followed complaints that the Federation President, who has the moral responsibility to ensure the timely completion and quality of projects nationwide, was himself delaying and abandoning construction contracts.

Call for Immediate Completion of Manmat-Kalaiya-Matirwa Road

Local residents have demanded the immediate completion of the Manmat-Kalaiya-Matirwa road section in Bara, which falls under the Postal Highway (Hulaki Rajmarg).

During the on-site inspection of the construction progress of road, irrigation, and electricity projects in the Madhesh Province districts of Bara, Parsa, and Rautahat, locals informed Minister Ghising in Kalaiya that they were facing significant hardship because the road in the district headquarters itself had not been built. 

Minister Ghising said the government would take an appropriate decision to advance the construction of the road, which is in a dilapidated state.

The contract agreement for the upgrading of the approximately four-kilometer road was signed with Saptakoshi Jaladhar-Om Sai & Company Joint Venture (JV), Kathmandu, on Poush 27, 2078 BS for NPR 22 crore 31 lakh (including tax). 

The initial contract aimed for completion by Magh 1, 2079 BS. The second extended deadline is set to expire on Chaitra 4, 2082 BS. The physical progress of the road construction is only around 20%.

The road construction is stalled due to the poor performance of the construction company. A public clarification was sought from the contractor on Ashoj 31 asking why the contract should not be terminated. Since then, the contractor has mobilized on the site, but no significant progress has been achieved so far.