By Saligram Nepal, Chitwan, Mar. 15: Following the construction of Mugling-Naryangadh road in Chitwan, preparations have kicked off to install 15 new bridges in the same road section.

The road was widened two years earlier. As the problem of traffic jams in Mugling couldn't be minimised despite widening the road due to the old narrow bridges, the construction of 15 bridges in two phases has begun.

Seven bridges from Mugling to Simaltaal will be constructed in the first phase and eight bridges from Simal Taal to Jugedi will be installed in the second phase, informed Sabina Ranabhat, information officer at Mugling-Narayangadh Road Expansion Project.

The design of all eight bridges to be constructed in the second package has already been approved. Ranabhat said that the construction of six out of eight bridges has already begun.

"Design of many bridges under the first package is yet to be approved. The design of the bridge is done by the contractor themselves after winning the bid. The contractors begin their work only after obtaining approval from the department," she added.

The cost of construction of bridges under the first phase is expected to be around Rs. 6.8 billion and of bridges under the second phase will be around Rs. 5.9 billion.

Anak Construction, Kathmandu has received the contract of the bridges under both the packages as per the contract agreement concluded on March 23, 2020.

"Right after the agreement was concluded, the nationwide lockdown was announced to curb the spread of COVID-19. The survey could not be done until July 2020. Now, the works are moving on in full swing," said Ranabhat.

"The old bridges in Narayangadh-Mugling road section are only 6 to 7 metres wide, which will now be increased from 9 to 11 metres," she added.