Kathmandu. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal has said that the government was working to operate the concrete bridge connecting Kalimati-Teku after conducting load test.
Speaking at a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee under the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, Minister Dahal said that they were preparing to bring it into operation by conducting load test if it was fit for operation.
There is still confusion over whether to operate or demolish the Kalimati-Teku bridge, which has been pending for decades. The bridge, which had come into operation for some time after completion of construction, was closed due to technical problems.
Since then, the bridge has been stuck. The construction was completed in five years and brought into operation in 2071 BS. The contractor company has claimed that there was no fault in the bridge. Minister Dahal said that work is underway to bring the bridge into operation by conducting a load test if the stay order given by the court or the things in the court are not stopped.
Minister Dahal said, “Talk has come about the kalimati bridge. The contractor of the construction company of the bridge came to meet me several times. He has also given me a letter. What I had said was that if the stay order given by the court or the things in the court does not stop, then the Finance Ministry has also issued a circular to us that if the builder wins through arbitration, then he should go to the Ministry, above that, the High Court and the Supreme Court. ‘
“Because the state had to go to the court to get justice. Since such a circular has been issued, the ministry may have gone to the higher court. If the court process doesn’t stop us from conducting it. Their court cases continue. It will be who will win and lose. If it does not stop, then the load of the bridge should be tested and brought into operation. We are moving ahead in that regard,” he said.
Stating that the monsoon has already arrived in Nepal, Minister Dahal said that the government was positive to carry out pre-study works of the places where there may be problems of floods and landslides. He said that the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure is relatively prepared among the ministries of Nepal regarding post-disaster reconstruction.
Stating that the ministry was ready with the materials, he said some problems were being faced as Nepal was in the construction stage.
Minister Dahal said, “I agree that a pre-study should be conducted on the places where floods and landslides cause distress. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure is relatively prepared among the ministries of Nepal regarding post-disaster reconstruction. It is ready with equipment. That’s not enough, we’re working. Nepal is in the construction phase. If the highways are to be imagined for a few years, then there was no other than that. ’
Minister Dahal also pledged to carry out development works in coordination with the local government.
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