The Ridi suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River, a three-way crossing that links Gulmi, Syangja and Palpa districts, has yet to be formally handed over. The structure was completed four years ago and is already in use, but an internal dispute among the contractors has kept the handover on hold.
Ridi Suspension Bridge: Built but Not Handed Over
The bridge, described as a model project in Nepal, stands at Ridi, where the three districts meet. Although it is in everyday use, it has not been officially transferred to the concerned government office. Reporting from Gulmi describes the delay as a four-year wait since construction was completed.
Contract Details and Extensions
The New Bato, Rubina and Mana Joint Venture (JV) was awarded the contract to build the bridge. On June 25, 2014, the joint venture signed an agreement with the Suspension Bridge Division under the Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR) in Pulchowk. The deal required the project to be finished within three years at a cost of Rs 98.82 million.
The Suspension Bridge Division Office in Kathmandu said the deadline was extended three times before construction was completed.
The Payment Dispute Behind the Delay
Construction contractor Mahendra Adhikari said the bridge could not be handed over because a subcontractor had filed a case claiming it had not been paid. He explained that the main contractor had been unable to pay the subcontractor because the government office had not released outstanding payments. He added that efforts were under way to settle the matter.
About 40 per cent of the payment is involved, and Adhikari said there were few other options available to resolve the dispute.
What the Division Says
Shankar Budhathoki, planning chief at the office, said the handover process has been halted because of the contractors’ internal dispute and a case pending at the Kaski District Court. The office said around 40 per cent of the project payment remains outstanding because of the dispute. According to Budhathoki, the handover will stay suspended until the contractors resolve their differences.
Plans for Long-Term Operation and Maintenance
The office said coordination among the local governments of all three districts is necessary to ensure the bridge’s long-term operation and maintenance. It is working with the three local governments to establish a sustainable management arrangement.
Why It Matters
The case shows how a payment disagreement between a main contractor and a subcontractor can leave a finished public asset in limbo. Until the Kaski District Court case and the outstanding payments are settled, the Ridi suspension bridge will continue to serve three districts without a formal owner responsible for its upkeep. For a related look at bridge work in Nepal, see our report on Tsum Valley access restored.
Source: The Rising Nepal, “Handover of unique three-way bridge delayed”