Rickety bridges pose risk to passengers on Gandak canal

By Deepak Prasad Gautam

Birgunj, Jan. 16: Bridges along the Nepal Gandak Highway, spanning from Janaki Tol in Parsa to the third block of the Gandak Canal in Rautahat, have become severely deteriorated, making travel on the route increasingly risky. 

Although the blacktopping of the 81-kilometre highway between Parsa and Rautahat has increased vehicle and passenger numbers, the failure to repair the dilapidated bridges has heightened the risk for commuters.

Serving as the sole alternative to the Postal Highway, the Nepal Gandak Highway connects Parsa, Bara, and Rautahat districts. Constructed using the 4-metre-wide service road of the Gandak Canal combined with public roads, the current 7-metre-wide highway is blacktopped.

The service roads, built in two phases in 1975 and 1976 by the Indian government and handed over to Nepal, now accommodate larger vehicles, leading to the deterioration of the bridges. 

Manoj Prasad Patel, Chief of the Narayani Irrigation Management Office, Birgunj, stated that the deteriorating condition of these bridges has made travel increasingly risky.

Patel also noted that the canal system across the three districts has exceeded its lifespan. “The canal and its structures were designed for 50 years; they are now around 45 years old. Repairs require extensive work, including crane operations,” he said.

Suresh Prasad Sah, engineer and information officer at the Narayani Irrigation Management Office, reported that three of the 22 bridges on the approach roads in Parsa and Bara are severely damaged, with one already collapsed, necessitating a diversion to maintain traffic.

Originally intended for official use, the approach roads of the Gandak Canal were opened to the public following political changes. Increased usage without proper maintenance has worsened the condition of the bridges.

The Tilabe River bridge has collapsed, while the Sirsiya and Bangari River bridges remain fragile despite minimal repairs during the road’s blacktopping project.

“If the Tilabe bridge collapses further, it could damage the canal’s underground structures,” Patel warned. “We’ve built a diversion to mitigate the risk.”

The collapse of these bridges would significantly disrupt the daily lives of rural residents and impede farmers transporting agricultural produce.

The highway plays a vital role in the industrial sector of Jagarnathpur, Parsa, which has experienced significant industrial growth over the past 15 years. Despite the diversion near the collapsed Tilabe bridge, vehicles transporting goods continue to operate along the route.

However, the Sirsiya River bridge in the same area is in extremely poor condition, and its collapse could significantly impact the industrial zone nearby.