The construction of motorable bridge at Khairenighat in western part of Ramechhap district remains incomplete after ten years.
The contractor started the construction of the bridge 10 years ago. Kankai JV, Lama, and Khampache Nirman Sewa had won contract to construct the approximately 83 meters long bridge.
Local resident Janga Bahadur Majhi rides on wings on hope like rest of the community members. “Every year, we hope that the construction of the bridge will complete this year,” he said.
Other residents complained they are forced to travel for almost six hours to reach to Kathmandu from the western part of Ramechhap district.
People living in Bethan, Khaniyapani, Rakathum, Hiledevi, Lakhanpur, Tokarpur, Khandadevi, Goshwara, Gunsi, Doramba, and Dimipokhari will benefit once the bridge opens after completion.
After the completion of Khaireni Bridge we will reach Kathmandu within three hours, said Majhi. Sunapati Rural Municipality Chief Administrative Officer of Sunil Niraula said people living in Sunapati, Doramba and Khandadevi Rural Municipalities would be able to easily transport construction materials and foodstuff if the bridge is completed. “This year the bridge construction work must complete,” he said.
The Department of Roads (DoR) started the construction of bridge 10 years ago. The contractor companies had agreed to build the bridge within two years, but, the deadline of Khaireni bridge project was repeatedly extended. So far, Kankai JV is the only contractor currently building the bridge after two other contractors Khampache and Lama Nirman Sewa pulled out.
Khurkot Division Road Office Engineer Manishman Shakya said the contractor has resumed construction and the bridge project is likely to be complete within a year.
Kankai JV official Ram Mainali said the design of the bridge was changed initially. “The construction work has picked momentum after design was approved,” said Mainali. Initially, the DoR had planned to construct the bridge in the well foundation design.
Division Road Office Chief Sanjib Mishra said they have prioritised the construction of Khaireni Bridge this year.
Once complete, the bridge would link the western part of Ramechhap with BP Highway.
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