The long-awaited bridge over the Doda River in Kanchanpur is finally nearing completion. Officials from the Mahendranagar Road Division Office said that around 90 percent of the construction work has been finished.
Nearing the final phase
Information officer Harish Prasad Joshi shared that the project is expected to be completed by the end of Poush. The main structure of the bridge, also known as the superstructure, is already done. Now, the remaining work includes building retaining walls on both sides and filling the surrounding soil.
Delays and budget issues
The bridge project began with a total estimated cost of Rs 24.73 crore. The contract was signed with Lumbini–Rajendra–Kumar–Shrestha JV for about Rs 24.03 crore. Although the plan was to complete the bridge within three years from Poush 26, 2072 BS, delays from the contractor pushed the timeline back several times.
Joshi said that the deadline has been extended again until the end of this Poush. However, the project faces financial challenges, as only Rs 40 lakh has been allocated for the current fiscal year, while around Rs 4 crore more is needed to fully complete the work.
A long wait for safe passage
Without the bridge, locals from Lajhadi, Shuklaphanta, and Krishnapur have been crossing the river in risky ways for years. Many residents say the new bridge will finally bring safety and convenience to their daily travel.
Local resident Bachchan Rana expressed hope that the bridge will make life easier once it opens. “We’ve been waiting for years. This bridge will finally connect our communities,” he said.
