Mahakali bridge project reinforces flood-damaged riverbank with boulder dam construction

Gravel filling work is currently underway near the guide bund of the four-lane concrete bridge over the Mahakali River. The section of the riverbank that was washed away during flooding two years ago has become significantly deeper, prompting authorities to reinforce the area by constructing a boulder dam. Before the dam can be built, the deep section is being filled with gravel.

According to Rajesh Yadav, chief of the Mahakali Bridge Project, the boulder dam is intended to protect the riverbank from future erosion. He said gravel is first being used to fill the deep pit created by the flood damage, after which large boulders will be placed on top to form the dam. As part of the protection work, the riverbed has also been modified.

The river has been channelized over a distance of around 400 metres to redirect its flow, with Rs 4.6 million allocated for the work. An additional Rs 8.5 million has been earmarked for constructing the boulder dam and a spur on the northern side of the guide bund.

The damaged section of the riverbank is estimated to be about 10 metres deep. Yadav said boulders cannot be placed directly into such a deep area, making the gravel-filling process necessary. The planned boulder dam will extend approximately 100 metres.

Although the project aims to complete the work by Asar 15, rising river levels have slowed progress. Yadav said that despite the channelization efforts, some water continues to flow through the construction area, making operations more difficult. The bridge project is currently carrying out the work using its own equipment.

A similar repair effort was undertaken last year during Jestha and Asar, when the Nepali Army was deployed to restore the damaged guide bund after the area was declared flood-prone. Kantipur reported that, as in previous years, significant repair work is again being carried out only at the onset of the monsoon season.

The long-delayed Mahakali Bridge Project continues to face challenges related to the design of the guide bund. Following the flood damage two years ago, a revised design was prepared, but progress on the remaining construction work has remained stalled.

The four-lane concrete bridge spans approximately 800 metres across the Mahakali River, which is nearly two kilometres wide at this location. The bridge and its associated embankment structure occupy the central section of the river. However, unresolved issues concerning the guide bund design along the riverbank have delayed the project's completion.

Under the original design, the guide bund was to be built using boulder stones. When the contractor was unable to source sufficient boulders, the design was altered to use plum concrete instead. However, this modification was not formally approved by the department. The contractor proceeded with the work based on verbal agreements and without obtaining an official design variation. After floods damaged the guide bund, questions about the altered design resurfaced.

The department later developed a new design, but it has not received final approval, leaving uncertainty over how the remaining work will proceed. Meanwhile, the department terminated its contract with the construction company Kurma Shrestha CFEC JV. The dispute has since been taken to the Arbitration Council, and the Appellate Court has issued a stay order against the contract termination.

Yadav said funding has now been allocated for both emergency repairs and the completion of the remaining bridge works. However, due to time constraints and the approaching monsoon, major construction activities cannot proceed immediately. He said the remaining bridge work will be completed after the monsoon through a new contract arrangement. A budget of Rs 80 million has been allocated for completion of the project.