Unused bridges in Pokhara highlight planning gaps

By Phadindra Adhikari,Lekhnath, Dec. 5: Two bridges built over the Bijaypur stream connecting ward Nos. 13 and 26 of Pokhara Metropolitan City have remained unused.

A suspension bridge built a decade ago to link Dhalkhe and Jhaurikhola has still not come into operation because the land on both ends is privately owned. While the suspension bridge remains stranded, a concrete bridge constructed slightly downstream is also lying unused.

Although there is an access road on the side of Ward No. 13, there is no road on the side of Ward No. 26. Private land extends right up to the riverbank. 

The concrete bridge was inaugurated on April 13, 2023, by then Chief Minister Khagaraj Adhikari, after being built at a cost of Rs. 33.89 million by the Infrastructure Development Office, Kaski, under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Gandaki Province.

Even three years after its completion, the bridge has not been used. With girders recently placed over the Bijaypur stream, this bridge could have served as a convenient alternative route. 

The budget for the project was allocated during the tenure of former Minister for Physical Infrastructure of Gandaki Province, Ramsharan Basnet. 

A concrete bridge built over the Daraudi River to connect Gorkha Municipality-3 and Siranchok Rural Municipality-5 in his home district of Gorkha also lacks access on either side.

Locals claimed that the bridge was planned without any consultation with them. According to local resident Kumari Nepali, opening the access road would require the demolition of her entire house. Neither the local government nor the provincial government has initiated talks with the affected residents. 

“If I give land the way they want, my whole house will be gone. I am ready to leave if I receive fair compensation," she said.

She said she has already spent her property on her husband’s kidney treatment and has now built a makeshift shelter on her remaining six anas of land.

Another local, Bishwo Sigdel, argued that the wrong location was chosen for the bridge. He claimed that the bridge was built in a place where water from the Seti canal should naturally flow, leading to misuse of public funds. Locals have asked authorities to find a road alignment that connects to the bridge.

Local Sharda Ranabhat said that if the access road is opened soon, residents will benefit, and the state’s investment will finally be utilised. She added that once connected, the Dhalkhe-Bhaurikhet motorable bridge route could serve as an alternative entry to Pokhara city.