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Lack of funds delays construction of bridges
MYAGDI, NOV 07 - Construction works on two bridges over the Myagdi and Kaligandaki Rivers on the Baglung-Beni-Jomsom Highway connecting Myagdi’s district headquarters of Beni has remained delayed for more than two years due to lack of budget.
Agreements for the construction of the bridges were signed three years ago with a view to completing them within 30 months from the starting day of the work.
The bridge construction came to a halt after the Japanese government, a major funding partner, freezed its loan and grant assistance citing deteriorating security condition. The Japanese government, under its Debt Relief Fund, was supposed to mobilise 90 percent of the total resources required for the bridges under construction.
The Department of Road last year had also issued a circular to stop the works on the bridges citing unavailability of resources though the government has listed them under its second and third priorities. The government has allocated only Rs. 8 million for the works during this fiscal year, which is far less than what is required.
Jagat Nirman Sewa, the contractor, has stopped its works after the government stopped payment to it for the works done so far. An estimate cost for the bridge over the Kaligandaki River is 36.8 million and for the bridge over the Myagdi River is 27.5 million.
The much-awaited Baglung-Beni-Jomsom Highway, which also connects Mustang district situated on the other side of the Himalayas, will not come into operation unless the two major bridges are completed on time. People of Myagdi and Mustang are hopeful of reaping immense economic benefit once the road and bridges are constructed on time. Besides, the two districts are the major tourist destinations in Nepal where thousands of foreigners visit for sightseeing and for making adventurous trekking of the Annapurna Circuit.Posted on: 2003-11-06 08:26
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