Sky bridge in Sarkegad: Misuse of funds

By Our Correspondent,Railing (Humla), May 8: In certain areas of Humla, the absence of a basic suspension bridge hinders students from attending school. However, in the easily accessible region near Dullu village in Sarkegad Rural Municipality- 4, an overhead bridge was constructed, which shows a sheer misuse of the government budget.

The bridge has been built with the budget allocated for Sarkegad Rural Municipality-4. The location where the sky bridge was built was not the place where the bridge was needed. The residents are accusing the local government of misusing the funds.

Humla has not been connected to the National Road Network. However, vehicles are still operating without the permanent route permit to Kharpunath Rural Municipality. The vehicles are obliged to travel at their own risk. From Sallisalla to the Kharpu River, permanent bridges must be built over most of the rivers. Likewise, permanent bridges must be constructed over the Karnali River.

In the lack of proper bridges, people have to risk their lives while crossing the river.

It takes up to 5 to 6 hours to travel from one place to another. The lack of a bridge is also disrupting children's education.

A student from a certain village said, “Students are obliged to go to school, risking their lives, depending on wooden bridges and tuins. Humla is still known as a remote district. 

However, approximately a 25-meter-long sky bridge was built in Sarkegad for Rs 0.2 million, when locals are suffering due to the lack of a basic suspension bridge.

Ward Chairman of Sarkegad Rural Municipality-4, Dhan Bahadur Chhatyala, has stated that the construction of the bridge was done from the budget of the last fiscal year 2080/081. He stated that the construction of the sky bridge was done after the school management and teachers repeatedly requested it, as students found it difficult to reach Dullu Primary School from the main road. “The concept of constructing a bridge came after the locals refused to build a road between the main road and the school,” said Chairman Chhantyal.