The construction of a concrete bridge over the Babai river near Ghuinyabari in Kalimati Rural Municipality-7 has faced significant delays, with only 70 percent of the work completed after seven years.

The project, initially contracted to be completed within three years, has suffered due to various issues, including a lack of initial effort from the contractor.

The contract for the bridge was signed in 2017, with a three-year completion target. However, despite multiple deadline extensions, only one out of the three spans has been completed to date. The water level in the Babai river remains high during monsoon seasons, further hindering progress, and it appears unlikely that the bridge will be finished this year.

The federal government allocated a budget of Rs450 million for the project in 2017, dedicating Rs160 million to construct the bridge near Ghuinyabari. The contract was awarded to Rasuwa Elite JV by the Mid and Far-Western Sector No. 3 Nepalgunj office, with construction starting in June 2017. The 180-metre-long bridge, comprising five pillars, was planned for completion by 2020.

Despite the contractor’s commitment to completing the project within three years, work has now extended to seven years, with only 70 percent completed due to delays during the rainy season. Local resident Karna Bahadur Rana reported that initial contractors did little to advance the work. Although recent contractors have made some progress, it remains insufficient to meet the project’s objectives.

Mitra Lal Rijal, chair of ward 7 in Kalimati Rural Municipality, attributed the delays to initial inactivity by the contractor. He explained that the project was postponed for nearly three years due to contractor negligence, with work resuming last year under pressure from various stakeholders. However, the contractor has yet to accelerate the project to completion.

In addition to the bridge, the government aims to connect the Salyan Khalanga-Kalimati-Damdawali-Ghuinyabari-Chapargauri-Nepalgunj road. However, delays in the bridge project have hindered progress, and until the road is fully connected, the bridge will not fulfil its intended purpose.

Kalimati Rural Municipality Chair Dan Bahadur Khatri added that, due to unresolved issues in the Nikunj area, approximately 15 km of road construction remains. Although Rs400 million was allocated for road construction in this area, progress was stalled by environmental restrictions. Consequently, the authorities plan to upgrade the road section in Kalimati.

Rasuwa Elite JV supervisor Mahesh Gautam said that initial delays were caused by challenges in excavating for pillars, as large underground rocks obstructed foundation work.