Bajura locals await concrete bridge over Karnali

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Dec.20: All nine local levels in Bajura district-- Budhiganga, Tribeni, Khaptad Chhededah, Badimalika, Gaumul, Budhinanda, Himali Swamikartik Khaapar and Jagannath Rural Municipalities-- are now connected by road networks.

Despite local governments prioritising road infrastructure, the absence of permanent bridges over rivers and streams along these roads has made transportation during the monsoon challenging. Locals face significant difficulties commuting between their homes and markets during the rainy season.

The lack of a concrete bridge over the Karnali River has been particularly troublesome for locals of the areas across the Karnali River. 

Residents across the Karnali River face challenges transporting daily essentials from Pilichaur during the monsoon due to the lack of a permanent bridge over the Karnali River.

After a long wait, locals now have access to vehicles in their villages; however, the absence of a concrete bridge over the Karnali River, makes their life difficult as in the past in monsoon, and they rely on a suspension bridge to transport daily essentials.

Nare Luhar, a local of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality–2, shared how the road network has reduced travel time from a week to just one day during the dry season. 

However, during monsoon, they are forced to use suspension bridges to transport goods on foot.

Swamikartik Khaapar Rural Municipality, a remote rural municipality across the mighty Karnali River, has connected its villages to the road network in recent years, with efforts ongoing to expand connectivity further. 

While locals can commute and transport goods via vehicles during the dry season, they must carry essentials on foot from Pilichaur during the monsoon due to the absence of a permanent bridge.

Villages such as Mukti Kot and Fyal, though remote, are now accessible by road. However, during the monsoon, transportation remains disrupted. 

Rural Municipality Chair Bharat Rokaya explained that they were working to connect all six wards by road and have initiated plans for constructing roads in the remaining wards. 

He identified the absence of a bridge over the Karnali River as the biggest challenge, adding that efforts to construct a bridge at Wai Gadu were underway.

The Mahakali Bridge Project in Kanchanpur confirmed that a contract worth Rs. 125.8 million was signed with Anjana M.K. BC Mahadev Khimti JV at the beginning of 2021 to construct a 100-metre bridge over the Karnali River in Swamikartik Khaapar by 2025. 

The contractor began the work in August 2023 after completing design estimates.

According to Engineer Santosh Chand of the Mahakali Bridge Project, the contractor has already completed foundation work on one side of the bridge.

Chand mentioned that the contractor was sent a letter a week ago to ensure the project would be completed within the contract period. 

Once the construction is completed, transportation in all wards of Swamikartik Khaapar will operate smoothly year-round.