Removal of Bailey bridges cuts Khotang’s link to eastern Terai

The removal of temporary Bailey bridges at Foksingtar and Bangsilaghat in Sunkoshi has severed Khotang’s direct transport connection with the eastern Terai. The bridges were dismantled due to increased water flow in the Sunkoshi River following continuous rainfall.

The removal of these temporary Bailey bridges, which connected various districts in the eastern Terai, has posed challenges for local residents. Without motorable permanent bridges at Foksingtar and Bangsilaghat, temporary Bailey bridges are installed during the dry season and removed during the rainy season.

Binam Dahal, head of the Infrastructure Development Office in Khotang, stated that the process of dismantling the Bangsilaghat bridge began on Baisakh 27. This was the first time a temporary Bailey bridge was installed at Bangsilaghat, connecting Barahpokhari Rural Municipality-5 in Khotang and Chaudandigadhi Municipality-1 in Udayapur.

The temporary bridge at Bangsilaghat had facilitated travel for residents of Jantedhunga, Barahpokhari, and Khotehang rural municipalities in Khotang, as well as some villages in Bhojpur. With its removal, locals like Yubaraj Magar report that they must once again rely on suspension bridges for about six months to travel to the eastern Terai.

The materials for the Bangsilaghat temporary bridge were purchased by the Physical Infrastructure Development Ministry of Koshi Province for Rs 18.7 million and handed over to the Infrastructure Development Office in Khotang. The contract for the bridge, including VAT, was awarded to Gurukul Builders and Suppliers Pvt. Ltd. Rautahat for Rs 5.7 million.

A contract to construct a permanent motorable bridge at Bangsilaghat for Rs 191.8 million was signed with Kalika-Vedansi JV, with a completion deadline of 33 months. However, locals accuse the construction company of delays since the project began on Mangsir 1, 2079.

The Foksingtar temporary Bailey bridge was fully closed for dismantling on Jestha 3, according to Suman Gole, an engineer and information officer at the Gaighat-Diktel Road Project Office. This bridge on the Sagarmatha Highway at Foksingtar had been operational since Poush 27.

The contract for installing the temporary bridge at Foksingtar was awarded to M/S Aryan Construction Multipurpose Pvt. Ltd., Katari-3, Udayapur, for Rs 9.67 million, including VAT.

A motorable bridge at Foksingtar was washed away by a flood on Ashwin 12 last year, less than a year after its completion. Until it is rebuilt, residents of Khotang must rely on temporary Bailey bridges.

Rajan Prasad Acharya, president of the Khotang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that with the removal of the Foksingtar bridge, vehicles from the eastern Terai must now detour via Ghurmi-Katari and Jayramghat to reach Khotang. This longer route increases the cost of daily essentials, necessitating attention from relevant authorities.

Although funding for the reconstruction of the motorable bridge at Foksingtar has been secured, no progress has been made. The Ministry of Finance allocated Rs 350 million for the project in Chaitra last year, as informed by Bishal Bhattarai, a central member of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).