Eight years have passed since the construction of a motorable bridge over Dordikhola started in Lamjung. However, the delay in construction of the bridge has affected the work of under construction hydro projects and local people’s movement.

Upper Dordi A (25 megawatt), Super Dordi Kha (54) Dordikhola Project (27) and Dordi A (12) are under construction in Dordikhola. Soaring water level in Dordikhola makes it hard to supply construction materials for hydro projects in the rainy season.

Road Division Office, Damauli, had awarded the contract for constructing the bridge to Sapana Construction Service Company and Jaya Baba Company some eight years ago.

As per the agreement, the bridge was supposed to be completed in two years. Despite repeated extension of the deadline, only eighty per cent work has been completed so far, said Gautam Shrestha, an engineer at Division Office, Damauli.

Hume pipes were laid in the river to enable vehicles to supply construction materials in winter. “The supply of the construction materials is halted in the rainy season,” said project director Arjun Gautam at People Hydro Power Company, which is constructing Dordi KHA hydro project. Gautam said the delay in construction of the bridge had added financial burden on hydro projects.

Delay in the bridge construction has hit not only hydro projects but also local people. Dordi Rural Municipality Chair Om Bahadur Gurung said locals were forced to cross the khola risking their lives for want of bridge during monsoon.

[August 3, 2018 / thehimalayantimes.com]