The construction of a motorable bridge over the Kaligandaki river, connecting Ridi in Gulmi to Chandi Bhanjyang in Syangja, which was supposed to be a three-year project, has remained stalled for over 12 years.

The contract for the bridge was awarded in fiscal year 2011-12 through the Palpa Road Division Office. The bridge, located along the road linking Rurukshetra Rural Municipality in Gulmi to Kaligandaki Rural Municipality in Syangja, was supposed to be completed by July 9, 2015.

However, according to Durga Gautam, the information officer at the Palpa Road Division, the project is far from complete. The contractor, Swachchhanda Nirman Sewa based in Kathmandu, has completed just 40 percent of the physical work and 21 percent of the financial progress so far.

Originally contracted at Rs202.9 million, the project’s revised cost now stands at Rs205.3 million.

The contractor has claimed that the construction was delayed due to large boulders obstructing the foundation work at the centre of the river.

While the company says foundation works on both banks and in the middle have been completed, and only slab installation remains, little visible progress is being made on the ground, raising concerns that the project may remain incomplete for years to come.