Locals forced to make risky journey due to lack of bridge in Kaligandaki corridor

By Tilachan Pandey, Tamghas (Gulmi), Dec. 26: Locals are forced to travel at risk in the Kaligandaki corridor, a national pride project, because of the lack of a bridge.

Drivers and residents have been complaining that they are forced to travel at great risk due to the lack of bridges on the Ridi Harmichaur and Harmichaur Balewa road sections of the Kaligandaki Corridor, Gulmi.

Ramu Pandey, a driver of an EV vehicle, who commutes through the corridor from Butwal Purtighat daily, said that they face hassles because of the surging water level in the rainy season and due to the pebble waste collected in these rivers during the winter season. 

He said that since EV vehicles are low, it is difficult to safely operate them, and even puts lives at risk.

Drivers are saying that the risk is greater at night, as the Badhare River and Dihing River on the Ridi-Harmichaur road section are more problematic, and vehicles can get stuck.

Shiva Dahal, Chief Engineer of the Kaligandaki Corridor, Gaindakot-Ramdi Maldhunga Road Planning Office, Palpa, said that a bridge design is being done for the location.

He said that in addition to these locations, about a dozen small and large bridges need to be built for the Gulmi-Baglung road section, and the design of the bridge is in the final stage.

He claimed that after designing the bridge, the office is working to enter into the implementation phase with a multi-year contract as soon as possible.

As there is no bridge over the Badhare River, locals have been constructing wooden stilt bridges to cross the river during the rainy season.