New Gaindakot diversion narrow, difficult

CHITWAN, July 29: The diversion which was constructed Tuesday following the collapse of a cantilever bridge along the East-West Highway at Gaindakot of Nawalparasi has been too narrow and difficult for vehicles.

Since the diversion was opened Tuesday evening, hundreds of passengers have been facing travel delay as there is a long queue of vehicles to cross the diversion.Heavy vehicles cannot cross the diversion easily, according to the drivers and passengers.

The 32-meter-long bridge made up of steel truss over the Jayashree stream in Nawalparasi district along the highway had buckled on Monday.

Engineer Bishnu Khanal at the Division Road Office, Butwal informed that vehicular movement resumed after a diversion was constructed under the bridge. "We're still working to widen the diversion further," said Khanal, who is also the site in-charge.

But the diversion has been subsiding gradually due to movement of heavy vehicles, according to the vehicle drivers. Both the passengers and police are to be seen pushing the vehicles that get stuck in the diversion, according to eyewitnesses.

Engineer Khanal said an excavator has been kept on standby for repair and maintenance of the diversion.

According to him, the division office plans to install a Bailey bridge as repairing the bridge is not possible immediately.

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