Lack of motorable bridge over Kaligandaki hampers tourists
July 1: A large number of tourists including devotees to the renowned Muktinath
have been suffering due to lack of a motorable bridge over the Kaligandaki river
along the Jomsom-Muktinath roadway.
The construction
of the bridge began four years ago but it is still far from completion. The
bridge to be completed within two years remains incomplete in five years due to
the negligence of the contractors, say the locals. BT and Jaya Om Nirman Sewa
had won the contract for the bridge worth Rs. 41 million.
However, chief of
the District Technical Office Rabindra Tiwari said that the work has been
hampered due to repeated change in the design of the bridge and inclement
weather conditions.
As a result,
travelers are forced to cross over the river and take the vehicle stationed on
the other side of the river. Though vehicles can pass through the river during
the dry season, it is not possible during monsoon.
It is very
unfortunate that the government has not given priority to constructing the
bridge in such an important and sensitive location, says local UML leader Dr
Surya Pathak.
The contractor
companies have blamed it to the weather—snowfall and monsoon for the delay in
the work on the bridge. However, the technical office Chief Tiwari says that
the bridge is expected to be completed by the next fiscal year. “We have been
pushing the contractors and the work will resume after the weather becomes favourable”,
he said.