Kankai Bridge: Contract extended for five times; progress 'half' in 13 years

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BHADRAPUR, (JHAPA), JANUARY 16:  : The construction of the Kankai Bridge, intended to connect Jhapa Rural Municipality-2 and Gaurigunj Rural Municipality-1 along the eastern section of the Postal Highway, has been stalled for 13 years. Local residents are struggling due to the prolonged delay in the project, which was initially contracted in 2011.

If completed, the bridge would have facilitated transportation between Biratnagar, the capital of Koshi Province, and Jhapa district, enhancing trade, business, and tourism in the region. However, the slow progress has hampered these prospects.

According to the Postal Highway Directorate, Planning Office in Itahari, the project contract was awarded on June 13, 2011, with a deadline of June 12, 2015. Yet, only 58% of the work has been completed to date. Engineer Prabhat Kiran Rai, the office's information officer, revealed that despite extending the contract five times, the contractor has failed to accelerate progress. The most recent extension expired in July 2023.

An expert team from Pulchowk Engineering Campus had reviewed technical flaws in the project and submitted recommendations, but the contractor has not acted on them despite repeated directives. Preparations are reportedly underway to terminate the existing contract and initiate a new bidding process if the current contractor remains unresponsive.

Koshi Province Assembly member Lakhi Kumari Ganesh expressed frustration, stating that despite repeated appeals to the Chief Minister and other authorities, no action has been taken. “The work is stalled due to costs exceeding estimates, and terminating the current contract to start anew will further delay the project,” she said.

Local resident Tanka Prasad Shrestha from Gauriganj-1 lamented the situation, noting that the contractor has already removed its equipment and materials from the site, leaving little hope for completion. Similarly, Himal Kumar Chamlagai, ward chair of Jhapa Rural Municipality-2, acknowledged the year-long stagnation and expressed disappointment over the lack of response from authorities despite persistent requests.