Cantilever bridge into operation after repair

By Gun Bahadur Roka, Sulikot, June  20: The commute of locals and tourists has become easier as the destroyed cantilever bridge along the cliff of Yarubagar at Dharche Rural Municipality-1, of northern Gorkha,  has come into operation after three years. 

The cantilever bridge was swept away by the flood of Budhigandaki in 2021, thereby disrupting the commute of locals through the bridge for the last three years. It has finally come into operation in mid-June after the much-needed repair. 

Ward chair of Dharche Rural Municipality Laxman Gurung said that the bridge was repaired with iron railings by installing gabions and stairs with Rs 5,000 budget that was allocated to Dharche Rural Municipality. It came into operation in mid-June thereby easing the commute of locals. 

He said, “ The stone that fell from Yaru cliff did minor destruction in the middle of the cantilever bridge, therefore, we have repaired the bridge in such a way that travel becomes easy. We have made it easy to walk by placing a gabion at the base of the bridge, fixing 11-12 ladders, and installing railings in the bridge.” 

According to the Dharche Rural Municipality, the cantilever bridge 115 meters long was built with aid from the non-government organization, UK AID, following damage induced by the earthquake of 2015, April 25, on the Manaslu foot trail which in turn destroyed the track on Yaru cliff as well.  It had come into operation in May 2016.