RASUWA, Nov 3: The Miteri Bridge connecting Nepal and China at Rasuwagadhi is expected to be reconstructed within a month.
According to Chinese officials, the construction of the bridge, currently underway, will be completed within a month. The bridge was swept away by a flood in the Lhende River in mid-July, halting cross-border movement between the two countries. The Chinese side has taken the lead in rebuilding the bridge.
Rasuwa Chief District Officer Rajesh Panthi said that the bridge is expected to be completed within a month, after which a meeting will be held to determine the date for resuming operations.
Panthi added that despite adverse weather conditions, the Chinese side has prioritized the construction, and transportation services are likely to resume within a month—provided no unforeseen circumstances arise.
Due to the collapse of the bridge, import–export activities through the checkpoint have come to a halt, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of Rs 14–15 billion, said Chief Customs Officer Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai. In the same period last fiscal year, customs revenue collection had reached Rs 14 billion.
According to technicians working on-site, repair and construction of the 16 km Syafrubesi–Rasuwagadhi road section is ongoing; however, progress has been slower than expected due to landslides and river erosion. The road remains frequently damaged by landslides between Timure and Tatopani and river erosion at various points including Lingling, near Kagatiwari, and the southern section of Ghattikhola, the Department of Roads said.
The District Administration Office, Rasuwa, said that the Disaster Management Committee has directed authorities to complete the road restoration as quickly as possible while maintaining quality standards.