Laboratory test of damaged items of Karnali Bridge, 3 more days of delay in opening of bridge

KATHMANDU: The technical team from the Bridge Division under the Road Department is currently assessing the fire damage at the Karnali Bridge in Chisapani, Kailali.

Since Wednesday, a team of technicians has been examining the affected components.

Krishnaraj Adhikari, the senior divisional engineer, mentioned that the team will collect samples of the damaged items and conduct laboratory tests. They are investigating the damage to the bridge’s surface, the wooden wires, and determining the necessary maintenance for vehicle operation. Seven wooden wires on each side of the bridge and the bridge surface have suffered damage due to the fire.

He said that the condition of the bridge will be known after analyzing and testing the report. “The engineer officer stated, ‘The main cable of the bridge is submerged, as evidenced by the samples taken; further testing will reveal the extent of damage to the cable, and once the analysis of all reports is completed, we will have a clearer understanding of the impact it will have on the bridge.”

A fire broke out in Karnali Bridge on Monday afternoon in a truck Na 5 Kha 5297 which was going to Kanchanpur carrying a lighter from Birgunj. Traffic on the bridge has been stopped after a moving truck was damaged by fire.

The engineer officer said that it will take some time to operate the traffic on the bridge as the surface of the bridge damaged by the fire needs to be repaired. According to him, it will take at least three days to regularize the traffic. “The surface repair work will start from tomorrow, it will take three days to repair,” he said, “by then we will prepare the report.”

The technician conducting the damage assessment mentioned that the samples will undergo analysis and be reviewed with experts at the center. It took approximately four hours to bring the fire in the truck under control. The truck, along with 1,100 cartons of lighters, was destroyed in the fire. Following the suspension of traffic on the bridge, vehicles traveling on the East-West Highway are now diverted to the alternate route via Tikapur-Nepalgunj under the Postal Highway.

Why is this bridge important?

Constructed by a Japanese company in 1993, the Karnali Bridge spans 500 meters in length. It features steel sticks tied to tall pillars in the middle, showcasing an exemplary design that has garnered popularity not only among commuters but also tourists.

Visitors often pause near the bridge to capture selfies, drawn by its architectural appeal. Additionally, the bridge’s construction has spurred the development of the Chisapani market. Annually, thousands of tourists flock here to indulge in activities such as eating fish of Karnali, swimming, and rafting in the Karnali River.

However, despite its significance, the bridge has not undergone maintenance since its inception. During the armed conflict, the bridge endured damage to its cables and pillars from bullets fired during skirmishes between the then-rebel Maoists and security forces.