KATHMANDU: The construction of a motorable bridge over the Gandigad river, bordering Achham and Doti districts, has failed to gain momentum 16 months after the contract was signed. The Infrastructure Development Office in Sanfebagar had awarded the contract for the 40-meter-long bridge to SSNS CPCS-AC JV, Dhangadhi-5, for Rs 52.1 million. The bridge is intended to connect Sokat in Chaurpati Rural Municipality-2 of Achham with Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality-8 of Doti.

The project faces significant delays, and construction activities have not progressed as planned. Furthermore, the existing suspension bridge at the site was damaged by a large rock dislodged by a bulldozer during the construction of an access road for the new project. Local residents, including students and patients, are now forced to cross the damaged and dilapidated bridge at great personal risk.

Local resident Dhruva Saud stated that the lack of a new bridge, combined with the damaged state of the old one, has made travel extremely difficult. ‘Forget about the motorable bridge, even the existing suspension bridge is not in good condition,’ he said. ‘Students traveling from Achham to Dipayal and Silgadi in Doti are forced to risk their lives every day to cross it.’

Bhim Bahadur Saud, chairman of Chaurpati Rural Municipality, accused the Infrastructure Development Office of negligence. ‘Despite repeated follow-ups, the office has shown no interest,’ the chairman said. ‘It is ironic that the concerned authorities remain silent while citizens are forced to undertake such dangerous journeys.’

Devi Prasad Upadhyay, information officer at the Infrastructure Development Office in Sanfebagar, Achham, stated that they have already written to the contractor to resume the stalled construction work immediately.