Three Bridges Construction on Asian Highway Underway

Jhapa. Construction of three bridges under the Asian Highway (Asian Highway) Kakarbhitta-Laukahi Road Project (West Section) is progressing rapidly.

According to project chief Jagat Prajapati, modern 'arc' technology bridges are being constructed at Ratuwa in Jhapa and on the Lohandra and Bakraha rivers in Morang under the fifth package of the project. He stated that 40 percent physical progress has been achieved in bridge construction so far.

The deadline for completing the bridge construction work is January 1, 2083, as per the agreement. While the road expansion work on the highway appears to be somewhat slow, the bridge construction is continuously ongoing.

The 95-kilometer road section from Kakarbhitta in Jhapa to Laukahi in Sunsari has been classified into different packages. Among the 20 bridges in the west section from Sitapuri in Jhapa, these three are the largest.

The bridges being constructed are 585 meters long over the Ratuwa River, 385 meters over the Lohandra River, and 318 meters over the Bakraha River. Project chief Prajapati mentioned that modern and aesthetically pleasing 'steel arc' technology will be used in the construction of all three bridges.

The contract for the construction of the three bridges has been awarded to Kovek-CRGEC-China State Seventh JV for Rs 5 billion. He informed that the high-tech work related to the steel structure used in the bridges is being carried out by the Chinese company itself, while the remaining civil construction work is being managed by the Nepali partner company.

It is reported that the 585-meter-long 'signature' bridge over the Ratuwa River will have a 264-meter section of 'steel arc' and the remaining section will be concrete. This bridge will have three spans. The 385-meter-long bridge over the Lohandra River will have two steel spans of 80 meters each. The 318-meter-long bridge over the Bakraha River will also have two spans.

He stated that the fabrication (assembly) work of steel parts is underway on the south bank of the road in Urlabari, Morang, and the materials prepared there are being brought and assembled into the main structure of the bridge.

The project has made technical preparations to ensure that the bridge construction work is not affected even during the monsoon. Currently, priority is being given to the construction of the Ratuwa River bridge. He informed that the work on the three spans of the Ratuwa bridge is completed and preparations are underway to add another 'arc'. He added that after the completion of the Ratuwa work, the construction of the Lohandra and Bakraha bridges will be expedited.

The steel arc work is being extended from the eastern part of the Ratuwa bridge. Most of the steel work has been completed, and only the concrete work remains, so project chief Prajapati claims that the work will be completed within the stipulated time.

The project estimates that the bridge construction may take an additional five months beyond the contract period due to technical reasons. Prajapati said, "To complete the work within the scheduled time, engineers and technical teams from the project office and the construction company are continuously working on site." He added, "Despite strenuous efforts, it may take an additional five months due to technical reasons."