The long-delayed construction of the bridge at Ghumaune Ghat, connecting Bharatpur and Tanahun along the Narayangadh-Muglin road, is finally set to resume. After years of stagnation, the Road Division Office in Damauli has initiated the process for a fresh tender. For the current fiscal year, NPR 15 million has been allocated to move the project forward, starting with a technical assessment of the existing base pillars to ensure their structural integrity before new work begins.
The original contract, awarded in 2013 to Mrit Sanjivani Construction Service for NPR 112.6 million, was terminated after the company failed to adapt to design challenges. Issues arose when the initial design proved unsuitable for the river’s water levels, and the contractor’s demand for additional funding was rejected by the department. Having completed only a portion of the work for which NPR 33.6 million was paid, the firm now faces severe penalties, including potential blacklisting and the forfeiture of its performance security.
Once completed, the bridge will link Bharatpur-29 with Anbu Khaireni, providing a strategic shortcut to Damauli via the Buddha Singh Marga. This new 32-kilometer route will allow travelers to bypass the congested Muglin-Anbu Khaireni section, significantly reducing travel time for those heading toward Pokhara and improving overall regional connectivity.