In Rautahat, several major bridge projects remain incomplete for years, leaving the Road Division Office at Chandranigahapur stuck in a dilemma—whether to terminate the contracts or somehow convince the irresponsible contractors to finish the job.
One of the most delayed is the Chandranigahapur–Gaindatar bridge over the Chandi River. The contractor, Pappu/Shivashankar JV, left the work midway despite signing a Rs 253 million contract in 2074. The bridge was due by 2076, but even after 8 years, only 75% is completed. Locals, frustrated by broken promises, have held sit-ins and hunger strikes under the half-built structure.
Several other bridges are also stuck, including Gujara Khola, Brahmatol, and Kotihar—some over 9 years old with only 60% or less work done. The Road Division Chief, Arun Kumar Karn, admits the office is helpless. “Canceling the contract means even more delays. But the contractor isn’t working either,” he said. “We’re left trying to persuade them, again and again.”
In Rautahat alone, five major bridges handled by Pappu and Shivashankar JV are incomplete. The Lalbakaiya bridge in Tikuliya, awarded in 2071 for Rs 149 million, was supposed to finish by 2075 but was abandoned. The Department later signed a new contract with Azad Dipu JV for Rs 276 million, but little progress has been made.
Likewise, the Bagmati-Badhharwa bridge connecting Durga Bhagwati-5 to Sarlahi was first assigned to Lumbini Builders and Pappu in 2067 for Rs 358 million. After Lumbini left, a new joint venture was brought in with a contract of Rs 574 million, yet even now only 20% of the work is done.
Other delayed projects include the Jhajh River bridge (55% done in 7 years), the Mithuawa bridge (51% in 4 years), and the bridge in Pipariya-Dostiya, which after 9 years is only 45% complete.
The contractors often blame financial crises and lack of government budget, while locals continue to suffer, especially during monsoon when mobility becomes impossible.
