Nepal's second longest suspension bridge nears completion

Published On: January 7, 2024 03:13 PM NPT By: Mithilesh Yadav

JANAKPURDHAM, Jan 7: The construction of Nepal's second-longest suspension bridge has entered its final stage. Stretching over 1,501 meters, this bridge spans the Kamala River, connecting the southern regions of Siraha and Dhanusha.

The erection of a 1,501-meter long suspension bridge over the Kamala River, linking Siraha Municipality-13 Malhania to Janakandani Rural Municipality-6 Kathal of Dhanusha, commenced with a contract signed on June 15 with Sapna-Uma-Thani JV Battisputali and Suspension Bridge Division Lalitpur, amounting to Rs 34 crore.

Volunteer Engineer Binod Mandal stated that the construction company, committed to completing the project by July 15, 2024, is on track to finish the project by mid-January. This suspension bridge, measuring 1,550 meters in length and 1.4 meters in width, is claimed to be the longest of its kind in the country.

Engineer Mandal highlighted that besides improving traffic connectivity between Siraha and Dhanusha, the bridge will also facilitate economic, administrative, social, and cultural activities.

Currently, there is a concrete bridge over the Kamala River on the East-West Highway, and another in the South Indian city of Jayanagar, located approximately 40 km away. The provincial capital, Janakpurdham, is situated in Madhesh Province. Due to the damaged concrete bridge, locals have been relying on a temporary bamboo bridge for motorcyclists and pedestrians to cross the Kamala River.

The Postal Highway between Jayanagar and the highway has witnessed delays and complications. The construction of a 470-meter-long bridge on the Kamala River, part of the Postal Highway project, faced setbacks and changed contractors. The initial completion deadline of December 16, 2014, was extended twice, with the final deadline set for June 27, 2021.

The bridge, however, remained incomplete due to the contractor's negligence, prompting the removal of Pappu Lumbini JV Kathmandu and assigning the task to Lumbini Builders. Currently, Lumbini Builders is self-financing the rebuilding process, aiming to complete it within the current fiscal year, as per the Directorate of Postal Highways, Janakpur.

Despite the July completion goal, skepticism persists among locals regarding the timely completion of the Kamala River bridge. Dev Kumar Yadav, an intellectual from Siraha, expressed concern about the daily challenges faced by the people, emphasizing the adverse impact on economic growth and development in the region.

While the ongoing construction of the suspension bridge offers hope to the community, especially for motorcyclists and pedestrians, there remains a lack of alternatives for heavy vehicles without a concrete bridge.