Photo: TRN Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kul Man Ghising inspecting the under-construction bridge over the Kamala River in Siraha.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kul Man Ghising inspected the under-construction bridge over the Kamala River, which connects Siraha and Dhanusha along the Postal Highway.

A team comprising Minister Ghising, Minister for Youth and Sports Bablu Gupta, Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Keshab Kumar Sharma, Director General of the Department of Roads Bijaya Jaishi, and other officials inspected the Kamala Bridge on Friday.

According to the minister’s secretariat, Ghising inspected after receiving complaints that the bridge remains incomplete even after nearly 14 years since the signing of the contract agreement.

Citizens have been suffering due to the delay, as vehicles are forced to take long detours.

A contract agreement was signed with Pappu Lumbini JV in May 2011 for the construction of the Kamala Bridge - considered the lifeline of the Tarai/Madhes region - at a cost of Rs 249.1 million (including VAT).

As per the initial agreement, the bridge was to be completed by November 2014.

However, the contract, which was extended eight times after the project failed to progress on schedule, expired in July 2025.

The contractor has now submitted a proposal seeking an extension until July 2026. The deadline extension process is currently underway, according to the Ministry.

Regarding the prolonged delay, Minister Ghising expressed his commitment to expediting the remaining work, saying the bridge is crucial for the overall development of the Madhes region.

He assured that the bridge would be completed and that investigations were ongoing into past irregularities.

Those found guilty would be prosecuted as per the law, he added.

Local residents have also demanded the immediate completion of the bridge. So far, Rs 204.3 million (including VAT) has been paid for the project.

The physical and financial progress of the bridge stands at 83 per cent and 82 per cent, respectively. The 12-span bridge will be 469 metres long.

The contract was awarded under the design-and-build model. In addition to the bridge, 1,300 metres of river training works and 200 metres of access roads on both banks are to be constructed.

On July 1, 2021, a flood in the Kamala River damaged two foundations and four slabs of the bridge. Of the four damaged slabs, two have been removed, while two remain to be dismantled.

After experts conducted soil testing, a revised design was prepared and approved.

The project aims to complete the construction and rehabilitation work as per the revised design by mid-July 2026 and bring the bridge into operation.