KMC starts construction of overhead bridge amidst lockdown

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has started construction works of an overhead bridge amidst the lockdown imposed by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19. The KMC decided to go ahead with the construction as the lockdown has extended long. Public construction works have been stalled for the last two months due to the lockdown.

Lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa , State Assembly member Narottam Baidya, KMC deputy mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi, ward chair Dinesh Dangol and the ward members jointly laid the foundation stone of the sky bridge at Jayabageshwori here on Monday.

The moveable overhead bridge would be constructed at a cost of Rs 6 million 499 thousand, the Ward Chair Dinesh Dangol said.

According to him, the sky bridge would be completed within the coming four months provided that works were not interrupted.

KMC had planned to build such bridges at four various locations in the metropolis having large movement of people within the current fiscal year. Although the construction of overhead bridges was begun at Chabahil Chok and in front of the Supreme Court before the lockdown, the works have not yet completed. KMC has stated that it will construct overhead bridges at seven places including Teku and Kalimati in the coming fiscal year.

Social security allowances provided at doorsteps

Meanwhile, KMC has distributed the allowances to the senior citizens and people with disabilities at their home.

Arrangements have been made in which the people's representatives of the metropolis' wards concerned will hand over the allowances to the beneficiaries by reaching their home. KMC said it made this arrangement for the convenience of the beneficiaries during the lockdown as calling them to the ward office to provide their allowances would increase the risk of coronavirus infection.

There are 9,117 senior citizens entitled to this special allowance in the 32 wards of KMC. Women age 75 years and above and men of 80 years and above are provided this allowance.

Similarly, KMC has been providing the special allowance to 445 people who are completely disabled, at their homes.

KMC has released Rs 110 million 617 thousand to the ward offices for this purpose, KMC spokesman Ishwor Man Dangol said.