Collapsed bridge awaits reconstruction after two years

KATHMANDU: The concrete bridge over the Biring River in Arjundhara Municipality, which collapsed during a flood two years ago, is yet to be rebuilt, leaving locals concerned about safety and government inaction.

The damaged bridge once served as a key link between Birtamod and Ilam’s Mai Municipality via Arjundhara.

Currently, small vehicles continue to cross the risky structure, despite the evident dangers.

Local resident Meghraj Ramtel expressed disappointment at the government’s lack of urgency. “We accepted the delay in the first year, thinking it was due to budget constraints. But now, with no progress in the second year either, we are seriously worried,” he said.

While vehicles manage to cross the bridge during the dry season, it remains closed during the monsoon, when floodwaters often flow over its surface.

With the bridge deck having collapsed into the river, locals are now demanding the construction of an entirely new bridge rather than temporary repairs.

Arjundhara Municipality’s Information Officer, Hemraj Sedhai, said the municipality has formally requested the federal government for budget support. “Speaker Devraj Ghimire and Infrastructure Minister Devendra Dahal have shown interest in the matter and inspected the site. We hope the upcoming federal budget will include the bridge project,” he stated.

Sedhai clarified that the municipality lacks the resources to build a new bridge on its own and must wait for federal funding. “The bridge is beyond repair. Only a new structure can resolve the issue,” he added.

Originally built in 2065 BS with a grant of Rs 20 million from the Government of India, the bridge had facilitated long-distance travel along the route until its collapse.

However, according to Bipin Dhungana, the Information Officer at the Damak Road Division Office, the collapsed bridge has not been included in the current fiscal year’s project plans.