Long-stalled Dhaplanghat bridge gains momentum

KATHMANDU: Construction of the long-delayed motorable bridge at Dhaplanghat on the Sunkoshi River, which connects Khotang and Udayapur districts, has finally gained momentum, raising renewed hope among residents of the southern region.

The bridge project had remained stalled for years due to contractor negligence, leaving local communities frustrated and isolated.

With construction now accelerating, optimism has returned among citizens who depend on the bridge for transportation, trade, and daily mobility.

The 200-metre-long motorable bridge is being built over the Sunkoshi River to connect Suntale of Barahapokhari Rural Municipality–2 in Khotang with Saune of Triyuga Municipality–14 in neighbouring Udayapur.

The construction contract was signed on July 4, 2016.

Despite the bridge being under construction for nearly nine years, repeated delays left the project abandoned for long periods.

The foundation stone was laid on Sept 16, 2017 by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Although the bridge was originally scheduled to be completed and brought into operation by 2019, work came to a halt due to the negligence of the contractor involved in the project.

Local residents said construction regained pace after Bhupendra Rai, Member of Khotang Provincial Assembly Constituency No. 2 and former Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development and Health of Koshi Province, consistently pressured authorities to resume work.

The bridge is being constructed at a cost of Rs 216.5 million, funded by the federal government. The project was awarded to Swachchhand–Rasuwa–Pappu JV.

After the bridge was left incomplete, the lead partner Swachchhand Construction Company was blacklisted and its performance bond seized.

Following this, Rasuwa Construction Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture partner, took over and restarted construction.

Former minister Rai said overcoming various obstacles helped revive the project. “There are five slabs in the Dhaplanghat bridge. One slab has already been cast. The contractor has committed to completing at least three slab castings this year,” he said. “Once the bridge becomes operational, it will mark the beginning of Khotang’s development journey. Elected representatives must give this project priority.”

According to the latest extended deadline, construction must be completed by June 2, 2027.

The construction company has stated that it aims to allow vehicular movement across the bridge by April 2027.

Engineer Nabin Sah of the Bridge Sector, Road Department, Dharan, said the project is currently 43 percent complete.

Initially, construction began using well foundation technology, but after it proved unfeasible, the design was revised last year and construction resumed using pile foundation technology.

Work is currently underway to divert and dry up river water to facilitate slab casting. If the water level can be reduced quickly, two additional slabs may be cast within this year.

Out of six required pillars, only four have been completed so far. One completed pillar was damaged by last year’s flood and needs reconstruction, leaving three pillars still pending.

Although earthen roads were constructed years ago on both the Khotang and Udayapur sides to allow transportation, the absence of a permanent bridge has prevented heavy vehicles from crossing the river.

Locals currently use a suspension bridge to cross the river on motorcycles.

Barahapokhari Rural Municipality Chairperson Salikram Banjara said the lack of a bridge has significantly increased transportation costs and restricted the export of local products. “We have been forced to live under an economic blockade due to the absence of the Dhaplanghat bridge. With construction finally picking up pace, there is some hope, but continuous monitoring is essential. Concerned authorities must remain attentive,” he said.

Once completed, the bridge is expected to transform the lives of residents in Barahapokhari, Jantedhunga, and Khotehang Rural Municipalities of Khotang, as well as parts of Bhojpur district.

Meanwhile, until the permanent bridge is completed, work has also begun on installing a temporary Bailey bridge at Dhaplanghat to ease transportation difficulties.