The construction of three modern bridges along Nepal’s Kakarbhitta-Laukahi road section under the Asian Highway project has been affected due to delays in the supply of specialised steel materials.
The bridges, being developed over the Ratuwa River in Jhapa and the Lohandra and Bakraha rivers in Morang, are part of the project’s fifth package and are designed using advanced steel arch technology. However, the unavailability of required 420-grade steel has slowed the pace of construction.
Project officials stated that the specialised steel is not manufactured in Nepal and must be imported from India. Earlier, supplies were transported through the Kerung-Rasuwagadhi border route, but disruptions following the Bhotekoshi flood affected transportation and delayed material availability.
The three bridges have achieved around 40 percent overall physical progress. The Ratuwa River Bridge, which is the longest among them at 585 metres, has reached approximately 52 percent completion. Other bridges include a 385-metre structure over the Lohandra River and a 318-metre bridge over the Bakraha River.
The project, awarded to COVEC-CREGC-China State Seventh JV at a cost of Rs 5 billion, involves Chinese expertise for steel structure works and Nepali participation in civil construction activities.
Although construction continues despite seasonal challenges, officials have expressed concerns about meeting the January 2027 completion deadline due to ongoing material supply issues. The project remains an important component of Nepal’s road connectivity development under the Asian Highway network.
