Construction of the signature bridges over the Madi river in Damauli and the Seti river in Pokhara, part of the Muglin–Pokhara road expansion project, is only halfway complete despite the three-year deadline having passed.

The contract for the Seti River bridge in Kaski, part of the Pokhara–Muglin road expansion project, expired in early September. Despite the three-year contract period ending, the bridge remains unfinished, said Krishna Bahadur Kunwar, chief of the project’s western section (Pokhara–Jamune).

According to him, the bridge’s physical progress is around 50 percent, with financial progress at about 49 percent. “Since construction could not be completed within the agreed period, the deadline has been extended for the first time to April 26, 2026,” Kunwar said.

Rasuwa Construction Company was awarded the bridge contract in July 2022. Kunwar blamed the Gen Z protests for the delay. He said the work was delayed because the company failed to import essential materials, including cables, on time.

“The company had planned to open a Letter of Credit (LC) in September to import cables and other required materials from China,” he said. “However, delays occurred due to the recent Gen Z movement and other factors. The LC was finally opened this week, and the materials are expected to arrive within 45 days.”

Even if the materials arrive soon, Kunwar said that completing the bridge within the extended deadline would be challenging at the current pace. He added that additional time was lost due to delays in design approval, relocation of structures within the road boundary, and resolving disputes over water pipes and access roads to nearby houses.

The bridge is being built using cable-stayed technology. Kunwar said construction of the four foundations is complete, and the four towers are in their final phase. Although foundation work took longer than expected, the construction company said other structures would progress more quickly.

The 190-metre-long bridge, built with a combination of concrete and steel, is costing Rs 940 million (excluding VAT) and is financed through an Asian Development Bank loan under the Department of Roads.

A similar delay has affected the bridge over the Madi river, connecting wards 4 and 5 of Byas Municipality in Tanahun. Although the three-year contract period has expired, the project’s physical progress is only 72 percent.

According to project engineer Bishnu Prasad Pandey of the eastern section, the contract expired on September 14. “We have recommended extending the deadline to July 3, 2026,” he said. “The construction company has pledged to complete the work within the extended period.”

The 315-metre-long bridge, being built in an arch design, is estimated to cost around Rs1.21 billion. Once completed, it will be the longest four-lane bridge along the Prithvi Highway.

Delays in road widening and bridge construction have slowed the overall upgrade of the Prithvi Highway. Once completed, the Seti and Madi River signature bridges are expected to improve the highway’s infrastructure and boost tourism and transport connectivity in the Pokhara–Tanahun region.