Five bridges on Bheri Corridor will be completed in two years: Minister Dahal

KATHMANDU: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, has said that five out of the 13 bridges under construction along the Jajarkot–Dolpa section of the Bheri Corridor will be completed within the next two years.

Responding to a query raised by lawmaker Maya Prasad Sharma in the meeting of the National Assembly on Tuesday, Dahal said construction work on these five bridges is underway with a target to complete them within the given timeframe.

According to Dahal, bridges over the Jhimri, Nalgad, Chaukha, Tatra and Tasu rivers are slated for completion during this period.

He added that the government also plans to start construction of the remaining eight bridges on the Jajarkot-Dolpa section of the Bheri Corridor Road in the current fiscal year. “These bridges, including those over the Rijigad, Chugad, Usum, and Galligad rivers, will be completed within three years,” Dahal added.

The bridge over Bheri River linking Rukum West and Jajarkot District on the Mid-Hills Highway has been in limbo for the past 14 years. “The project was awarded to YP Construction Pvt Ltd in 2011 with a deadline of three years. However, the contractor went out of contact after erecting one pillar,” Dahal said. “Efforts were made twice to reaward the contract through the bidding process after backlisting YP Construction Pvt Ltd,” he said. “The first attempt failed due to substantially higher bids than estimated, while the second attempt failed due to no bidders showing interest.”

According to Dahal, the cost estimate is now under review. “We are hopeful of awarding the contract in the current fiscal year,” he added.