The under-construction Ghami Khola bridge in Loghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality–2 of Upper Mustang, which connects Korala to the Nepal–China border, has reached its final stage, with physical progress touching around 80 per cent.

Efforts are under way to complete the project within the current fiscal year, officials said. The single-span bridge, measuring 40 metres in length, is a key component of the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road corridor leading to the Korala checkpoint.

The contract for the bridge was awarded in January 2019 to Himdhung Thokkar & Immortal JV at a cost of Rs 68 million. According to Rural Municipality Chairperson Lopsang Chomphel Bista, while the approach road was completed earlier, construction of the bridge remained stalled for an extended period.

He said vehicular movement across Ghami Khola will become significantly easier once the bridge is operational. Under the original agreement, the project was scheduled for completion by December 2021.

The contractor had cited adverse weather conditions and heavy snowfall as reasons for the delay. However, after repeated failures to resume work, the firm was issued a six-month ultimatum and subjected to daily penalties, including a fine of 0.05 per cent of the contract value.

Project Chief Tejaswi Sharma said that 14 bridges have already been completed along the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road connecting to the Korala border point. He added that the Ghami Khola bridge is also expected to be completed within the current fiscal year.