Only 30 per cent of the construction work on the bridge over the Karnali River, which connects Himali Rural Municipality in Bajura and Khatyad Rural Municipality in Mugu, has been completed.

Although construction began in 2021, progress has been slow, with only 30 per cent of the work completed in three years.

Kusheshwar Construction Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement in 2021 to complete the bridge by mid-December 2024. As per the agreement, the company is required to construct a 105-metre-long concrete bridge at the site. The Infrastructure Development Office, Mugu, has stated that the contract was signed for Rs. 144.9 million.

The Karnali Province government allocated funds through the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development to connect Bajura and Mugu. Upon completion, this bridge will link Bajura with Mugu, Rara and told districts of Karnali Province.

Khatyad Rural Municipality Chairman Ajbahadur Malla said that as this project falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial government, details regarding its timeline are best known to the Infrastructure Development Office, Mugu.

Himali Rural Municipality Chairman Govinda Bahadur Malla stated that the bridge would greatly ease travel for residents of all nine districts in Sudurpaschim Province, particularly those traveling from Bajura to Rara.

He added, “Currently, there is a Bailey bridge that locals use to travel between Bajura and Mugu.”

Once the concrete bridge is completed, it will provide significant convenience to local traders and tourists visiting the region. Presently, vehicular movement between Bajura and Mugu is dependent on the Bailey bridge. However, locals believe that the new bridge will make travel to Mugu and Rara much easier.

According to Jayaraj Ghale, a contractor at Kusheshwar Construction Pvt. Ltd., construction was delayed due to prolonged government procedures in preparing the design estimate.

"Building a bridge over the Karnali River is particularly challenging," he said. "During the monsoon season, from June to September, the river’s water flow increases significantly, only receding around December. Additionally, if any construction materials are damaged, transporting replacements to the site can take three to four months."

The project deadline has now been extended by a year, with the construction company aiming to complete the work by mid-April 2025.

Krishna Chapagain, Chief of the Infrastructure Development Office, Mugu, stated that the deadline was extended because the contractor failed to meet the original timeline.

"A significant amount of time was spent on designing the bridge, which delayed the project by a year," he said. "The design was finalised after a year and only then did construction begin. Now, with the deadline extension, the contractor is working towards completing the project within the revised timeframe."

Currently, one pillar has been completed and work on the middle pillar is underway.

By Sher Bahadur