Construction of a bridge over the Bheri river in the district has not been completed even 12 years after initiation, thanks to government apathy and negligence of the authorities concerned.

The 180 metre bridge connecting Sallibazaar in Salyan and Rakam in Surkhet was aimed at completing within two years in order to facilitate movement of people and vehicles in the region.

The Road Division Office in Surkhet had awarded a contract to build pillars of the bridge to a joint venture based in Kathmandu in 2003. The contractor was asked to complete the work in two years. However, the company took seven years to build three of the five pillars. Locals, meanwhile, accused Road Division officials of being apathetic towards the delay and not taking any action against the contractor.

Last year, the Road Division Office stated that the construction work would be completed within this fiscal year. According to Road Division Office chief Bhanu Joshi, various technical and geological problems arose while undergoing construction works, leading to the delay.

“We could not identify the problem and it affected pillar building works due to the lack of proper equipment and technology,” he Joshi, adding that the construction work is carried out only during the winter as it is very difficult to work in the rainy season.

Locals, however, said the government authorities’ negligence led to the delay.

“The design approved by the authorities could not be implemented as the technical team selected a wrong design and the authorities lack proper equipment and technology,” said Jayram Lamichhane, a local businessman.