Tue, 27 October 2026
Change Font Sizes:
Tue, 27 October 2026
By Tilachan Pandey, Gulmi (Tamghas), Oct. 27: A unique three-way suspension bridge, considered a model project in the country, has yet to be formally handed over due to an internal dispute among the construction contractors.
Although the bridge took nearly 10 years to complete, it has remained unhanded over for four years. Construction of the bridge, which was inaugurated on December 1, 2014, was completed four years ago. The bridge is currently in use, but it has not been officially handed over to the concerned government office.
New Bato, Rubina and Mana Joint Venture (JV) was awarded the contract to build the suspension bridge across the Kali Gandaki River at Ridi, where Gulmi, Syangja and Palpa districts meet. The bridge connects the three districts.
On June 25, 2014, the joint venture signed an agreement with the Suspension Bridge Division under the Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR), Pulchowk, to complete the project within three years at a cost of Rs. 98.82 million.
The Suspension Bridge Division Office in Kathmandu said the deadline was extended three times before construction was completed.
Construction contractor Mahendra Adhikari said the bridge could not be handed over because a subcontractor had filed a case, claiming that it had not been paid.
He said the main contractor had been unable to pay the subcontractor because the government office had not released the outstanding payments. He added that efforts were underway to settle the dispute.
With around 40 per cent of the payment involved, there were few other options available to resolve the matter, he said.
Shankar Budhathoki, planning chief at the office, said the handover process had been halted because of the contractors' internal dispute and a case pending at the Kaski District Court. The office said around 40 per cent of the project payment remained outstanding because of the dispute. The handover process will remain suspended until the contractors resolve their differences, Budhathoki said.
The office said coordination among the local governments of all three districts was necessary to ensure the bridge's long-term operation and maintenance. It is working with the three local governments to establish a sustainable management arrangement.
How did you feel after reading this news?