Mar 14, Kathmandu- The country's first 'overpass' under construction in Gwarko, Lalitpur, has been demolished as it nears completion.

The 'precast panels' of this overpass were demolished after it was found to be of substandard quality, with about 82 percent of the construction completed.

The Quality Research and Development Center ordered the demolition of the wall after it started cracking while filling it with soil after installing a cement wall. Now, this overpass has to be reconstructed again.

If this overpass, built under the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) model, had been completed on time, vehicles would have been able to ply.

The overpass was demolished after it had been filled with soil by installing precast panels on both sides (Koteshwor and Satdobato). While the pitch was being prepared, the wall on Satdobato was demolished and the soil and blocks were removed. The wall and soil had to be removed and the wall was to be installed from the foundation.

An agreement was signed between Ashish-Samanantar-Religare JV and the Road Department on Falgun 11, 2080, to complete the 4-lane work within 2 years on Falgun 12, 2078. After it was not completed within the specified time, the deadline was extended to Poush 8, 2081. It was not ready even within the extended deadline. Now, it has been ordered to be demolished because the work is of poor quality.

After pouring soil into the precast panels, i.e. blocks/walls, large cracks were visible. Since this could collapse at any time, the contractor has been instructed to demolish and rebuild. Now, demolition is in full swing.