Connectivity between Tanahun and Bharatpur disrupted after flood damages suspension bridge

By Amar Raj Naharki,Tanahun, Oct. 6: Flood has damaged the suspension bridge connecting Anbu Khaireni Rural Municipality-5 and Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29, leading to transportation problems.

The damage to this bridge over the Trishuli River has significantly obstructed access to an important crossing in the southern region of Tanahun, according to Anbu Khaireni Rural Municipality Chairperson Shukra Chuman. The construction of the motorable bridge, which began ten years ago, is still incomplete. The bridge, which was used by pedestrians and motorcyclists, has been damaged by the flood, causing travel difficulties.

The bridge needs to be repaired and the municipality plans to undertake the repair work themselves, said Chuman during a field inspection of the damaged bridge.

There have been efforts from both the Gandaki Provincial Government and the Federal Government to initiate repairs, but due to procedural delays, the municipality has decided to handle the repairs on its own, Chuman informed.

Gandaki Provincial Assembly member Hari Bahadur Chuman, Anbu Khaireni Rural Municipality Chairperson Sukra Chuman, Chairperson of Ward No. 5 of the rural municipality Santosh Gurung and engineer Ishwar Bhandari were part of a team that inspected the bridge on Friday to gather information about the damage. 

The locals of Dharampani, Pyughar and Sarangghat have been facing difficulties in their daily travel after the bridge sustained damage.

A contract for the bridge construction was signed in June 2014, but as of now, it is still in the foundation phase. Only pillars have been erected on both sides, with around 40 per cent of the work completed, according to Gurung, the ward chairperson of Anbu Khaireni Rural Municipality - 5.

The distance from Damauli to Ghumaune is 32 kilometres. With the construction of the bridge at Ghumauneghat, the distance from Narayanghat to Damauli via the Buddha Singh road will be reduced by 30 kilometres.

Once the bridge is completed, residents from Pokhara, Baglung, Parbat, Beni, Syangja and Damauli will have shorter routes to reach Chitwan.