Under-construction motorable bridge over Neruwa stream collapses

By Chandra Pandak, Taplejung, March 25: The under-construction motorable bridge over the Neruwa stream of Maiwakhola Rural Municipality, Taplejung district, has been collapsed. 

The flood triggered by the incessant rainfall on Tuesday night damaged the under-construction bridge over the Neruwa stream.  

Infrastructure Development Office, Taplejung, shouldered the responsibility of bridge construction, aiming to connect Maiwakhola Rural Municipality-5 and Ward 6, Fakumba.

The bridge, which was in the final stage of completion, collapsed owing to flood, according to the Chief Senior Division Engineer of the Infrastructure Development Office, Taplejung, Kumar Kushalaya Karn. 

Karn said that the bridge collapsed after the flood in the river destroyed the scaffolding of the under-construction pre-stressed bridge.

 Accounting Officer at the Infrastructure Development Office, Rajkumar Sincheuri, said that the collapse of the under-construction bridge has caused losses worth millions.

A motorable bridge under construction over the Neruwa Khola in Maiwakhola Rural Municipality has collapsed, leaving locals without reliable year-round transportation.

The bridge was being built with an estimated budget of around Rs 90 million.  

 Sanjiv Nirman Sewa of Phidim-5, Panchthar, had been undertaking the project with a target to complete it within the current fiscal year.

According to the Chairperson of Maiwakhola Rural Municipality, Bijay Prakash Banem, the collapse of the bridge that connects the Tirtire-Kharte-Fakumba-Samto-Sindholung Waterfall road section connecting Dobhan Bazaar to the district headquarters, Phungling, has dashed the hopes of locals who were expecting year-round transport access.

Banem said that residents, particularly those in the Fakumba area, have been deprived of transportation services due to the incident.

During the winter season, vehicles are able to operate along the road as water levels in the river decrease, even in the absence of a bridge. 

However, during the monsoon season, rising water levels in the Neruwa Khola prevent travel, leaving locals and travelers without access to transportation in the area due to the lack of a motorable bridge.