National
Bridge projects left incomplete
People travelling along the 112 kilometre Kalikot section of Karnali Highway have been facing difficulties due to lack of bridges on rivers and streams.People travelling along the 112 kilometre Kalikot section of Karnali Highway have been facing difficulties due to lack of bridges on rivers and streams.
Drivers say it is difficult to drive vehicles on the road section from Surkhet to Takulla. “We have been taking risks to cross the Takulla section,” said Moti Prasad Neupane, a mini-bus driver, adding that the problem will be resolved if bridges along the highway are completed soon.
The road crosses Tila river and other streams and it too difficult to drive at areas such as Ghattekhola, Kalekhola, Sherighat, Khulalu, Takulla and Khallaghat. Though the Division of Roads started constructing bridges in 2011 with a plan to complete them within two years, the projects have not been completed yet.
Road Division chief Narayan Datta Bhandari said the construction of bridges have been delayed due to the low working capacity of contractors. “The contractors have been careless while constructing bridges,” Bhandari said, adding that they have warned of take action against them.
Authorities said they cannot mobilise staffers owing to the lack of human resources and vehicles. Locals said the under-construction bridges have been left
unattended for several years.