The construction of a bridge at Jhunga in Dudhauli Municipality-3, Sindhuli, has been going on at a snail’s pace. The bridge lies at Hetauda-Sindhuli-Gaighat-Chatara road section and connects Hatpate of Dudhauli Municipality-2 with Jhunga of Dudhauli Municipality-3.

Though the bridge’s construction started eight years ago, only the pillars have been built so far.

“The pillars of the bridge were constructed five years ago. We don’t know when the construction works will complete,” said Kamal Das Thapa Magar, a resident of Hatpate. Locals said in order to cross the bridge, they have to walk for at least three hours to reach the bridge in Khaniya.

“Construction works had gained momentum in the early years, but there has been no progress in the past five years,” said Magar. With the financial aid of the World Bank, Pappu-Lumbini JV had taken responsibility to complete the construction of the bridge with the cost of Rs 320 million by the fiscal year 2015-16. The bridge will be 546 metres in length after completion, the longest bridge in the district.

“I was only 10 years old while the construction of the bridge started,” said Gita Tamang of Hatpate. “I passed my entire school life waiting for the bridge to be constructed. We have been facing a lot of hardship to cross the river in the absence of a bridge.”

Locals have been demanding the concerned authorities to take action against the contractor and complete the construction of the bridge soon. Some of the bridge’s pillars have started to cave in after they were left unattended for a long time.

Ghana Shyam Raut, mayor of the Dudhauli Municipality, said he met with the Home Minister and informed him about the delay in the bridge’s construction. “I have also demanded that action be taken against the contractor.”