Bridge collapse hampers people’s movement

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Nov. 24: Locals have been facing problems due to the lack of maintenance and reconstruction of the collapsed Jabdighat Bridge connecting district headquarters of Bardiya with Barbadriya Municipality 

After the bridge collapse, access to district headquarters Gulariya from Barbardiya and other areas has been severed causing a lot of trouble to the general public. The bridge built by Pappu Construction for Rs. 165 million collapsed before the inauguration. Patients, children and senior citizens are worst affected as they have to cross the river by boat and boats too are not available on time.

Two pillars of the bridge collapsed due to a flood in August 2017. Since then, despite repeated attempts and demands, the bridge which is 435-meters-long and 7.4-meters-wide, has neither been repaired nor rebuilt. 

Crossing this bridge one could reach Rambhapur on East-West Highway through Gulariya Municipality. 

Barbardiya Municipality's connection with the district headquarters Gulariya has been severed after the collapse of the bridge, said Ramesh Tharu, a resident of Barbardiya. According to him, locals were using the collapsed bridge as they lacked options. The motorcycles, bicycles and people moved via the collapsed bridge, but after the bridge was washed away by the flood in 2022, the residents are solely dependent on boats to cross the river.

A steamer is in operation at Jabdighat. An individual has to pay Rs. 10 for crossing the river by a steamer. Manoj Thapa, another local, said that he had to pay Rs. 10 for a bicycle and Rs. 15 for a motorcycle to cross the river.

Gulariya and Barbardiya Municipalities have awarded contracts for the operation of steamers for the general public. Around 2,000 people cross this ghat every day. People have faced difficulties in reaching the district headquarters, Gulariya, as the bridge has not been reconstructed yet. Gulariya could be reached in 15 minutes, but it takes about an hour to cross the river by boat. According to the locals, they have to pay Rs. 10 for cattle to cross the river.

Lawmaker and former minister Sanjay Gautam sat on a fast-unto-death, demanding the reconstruction of the bridge but neither reconstruction nor renovation has yet started.