Bridge over Barun River incomplete even years after construction began

By Sujan Bajracharya,Khandbari (Sankhuwasabha), June 7: The construction of a 60-meter-long concrete bridge over the Barun River in Bhote Khola Rural Municipality-4 of Sankhuwasabha district, which began three years ago, remains incomplete.

Only the pillars on both ends of the bridge have been erected, while the work on the deck remains unfinished.

During winter, small vehicles can cross the river using hume pipes placed in the riverbed. However, in the rainy season, floods often wash away the pipes. “The hume pipes installed in the river have been swept away,” said Wangchhedar Bhote, Chairman of Bhotekhola Rural Municipality. “As the construction of the bridge is not completed on time, commuters have been facing a lot of difficulties," he added.

The construction of the bridge began on March 16, 2022, under the North-South Koshi Road Project and was contracted to Hindung and Thokar/Vibas/ASA S Company.

By the end of March/April last year, when the first construction deadline expired, only the pillars on both ends of the bridge were erected. Although the deadline was extended until the end of June/July, the project is still unfinished, and the construction company is now unreachable, according to Chairman Bhote.

According to local Chiruk Bhote of Chyamthang, residents of Hatiya, Hungung Lingam, Chepuwa, Chhumsur, Ridak, Chhudam and Kimathanka in Bhotekhola have become disconnected from Khandbari due to the lack of a bridge.

“In winter, tractors can reach here, but during the rainy season, it’s impossible to cross the Barun River without a bridge; our daily life is severely disrupted,” he added.

Rajendra Karki, the former Minister of Koshi Province from Sankhuwasabha (Constituency 1), said that although the road track is in good condition, locals are suffering due to the incomplete bridge. “The company has repeatedly delayed the work and failed to complete it on time, leaving the project unfinished,” he said. “We now need to take strict action.”

An estimated Rs. 1.6 billion has been allocated for the construction of the bridge. Naresh Jirel, the Information Officer of the North-South Koshi Road Project, stated that the bridge's foundation and steel structure have been completed, and the remaining work is expected to be finished by mid-July 2025.

So far, 11 bridges have been constructed in the Bhotekhola area under the North-South Koshi Road Project. Although 159 kilometers of the 162-kilometer road from Khandbari to Bhotekhola have been opened, transportation in the region remains disrupted as the bridge over the Barun River remains incomplete.