Himal Press 
POKHARA: Physical progress on the western section (Pokhara–Jamune) of the Pokhara–Muglin Road Project has reached nearly 80%.
According to the project office, while physical progress stands at 78.26% percent, overall progress, including construction and maintenance, has reached 73.51%. Financial progress, on the other hand, stands at 63.56%, says Project Chief Engineer Krishna Bahadur Kunwar.
Construction work on the western section, which is estimated to cost Rs 7.40 billion, began in May 2021. The project has missed the deadline twice, and the third deadline is expiring in July. The total length of the road section is 38.71 km.
According to Kunwar, the first and second layers of asphalt paving have nearly been completed.
Similarly, 12 out of 13 bridges on the section have already been completed. The signature bridge under construction over the Seti River at Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara has achieved around 60% physical progress and around 55%.
Bridges have been completed over Myagde Khola, Kumle Khola, Thade Khola, Samdhi Khola, Mul Khola, Phedi Khola–1, Phedi Khola–2, Rudi Khola, Haledi Khola, Kali Khola in Tanahun, and Bijaypur Khola and Kotre Khola in Kaski.
Similarly, all 105 culverts have also been completed. Likewise, the construction of drainage systems of around 60.50 km is also nearing completion.
The total cost of the signature bridge over the Seti River is Rs 1.07 billion. With physical progress nearing 60% and financial progress at 55%, Kunwar expressed confidence that the bridge will be completed soon.
Construction of the bridge began in August 2022. As its construction deadline expired a few days ago, the project office is in the process of extending its deadline by 10 months.
Chinese construction company Anhui Kaiyuan Highway and Bridge Construction is handling construction works in the western section.
According to Kunwar, about half of the stretch, of 18.1 km, will be six lanes, while the remaining 30.55 km will be four lanes. The section from Prithvi Chowk to the Seti Bridge will be entirely six lanes.
There, however, are concerns that the project won’t be completed by July. This is mainly because 29 utility poles near Pokhara International Airport have not been relocated yet. The project office had formally requested the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Pokhara Office, to relocate the poles two months ago. However, the NEA has told the project office that it cannot proceed with the work without ensuring payment.
“Rising costs and a shortage of petroleum products could also affect the pace of construction,” Kunwar added.
