65 Bridges Constructed in Karnali Over 21 Months

A total of 65 bridges have been built in Karnali Province over the past 21 months, according to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development. Among them are 23 reinforced cement concrete (RCC) motorable bridges and 42 suspension bridges. Six of the suspension bridges were completed between July and December of the current fiscal year.

Spokesperson for the Ministry, Ramesh Subedi, stated that motorable bridges have been constructed along five road sections, with one each in Surkhet, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Mugu, and Salyan. In addition, four suspension bridges were built in Humla and two in Kalikot.

Subedi also shared that 21.45 kilometers of roads were blacktopped in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, while 95 kilometers were completed in the entire 21-month period. A total of 205 kilometers of roads were graveled, and tracks were opened along 525 kilometers of fair-weather roads.

The Ministry has approved the construction of eight new motorable bridges for the fiscal year 2081/82 BS. Approval has also been granted for one Bailey bridge and 41 suspension bridges under a multi-year contract framework. Financial resources have been secured for several projects across different districts. In Rukum-West, funding has been arranged for one road, two motorable bridges, and two suspension bridges. In Jajarkot, the construction of three Bailey bridges has begun, and the Nalgad Hydroelectricity Project has initiated the construction of a bridge at Khara, connecting Barekot and Nalgad municipalities.

In Surkhet, financial arrangements have been made for 11 infrastructure projects, including four suspension bridges, four roads, two road-and-bridge projects, and one additional structure. In Dailekh, two motorable and eight suspension bridges are being funded. Mugu has six approved projects, while Humla has three, Dolpa eight, Jajarkot four, Kalikot three, Salyan seven, and Jumla four.

Altogether, financial resources have been secured for 61 infrastructure development projects in Karnali Province in the current fiscal year.