Under-construction Neruwa River motorable bridge collapses

By Our Correspondent,Taplejung, Mar. 26: An under-construction motorable bridge over the Neruwa River in Maiwakhola Rural Municipality of Taplejung district has collapsed. The bridge gave way on Tuesday evening due to a flood in the river. The bridge was being constructed at Kharte on the Neruwa Khola to connect Ward Nos. 5 and 6 (Phakumba) of Maiwakhola Rural Municipality. The project, undertaken through the Infrastructure Development Office, Taplejung, was damaged due to the flood triggered by a rainfall.

According to Kumar Kisalay Karna, Chief Senior Division Engineer at the Infrastructure Development Office, the bridge, nearing completion, collapsed after floodwaters destroyed its scaffolding. The 35-metre-long bridge was being built using pre-stressed technology.

Raj Kumar Senchury, Accounts Officer at the office, said that the collapse has resulted in losses worth millions of rupees. The total cost of the project was Rs. 81.882 million. The construction work was being carried out by Sanjiv Nirman Sewa of Phidim, Panchthar, with a deadline set for May third week of the current fiscal year. The contract agreement had been signed on May 25, 2023. 

Meanwhile, Bijay Prakash Wanem, Chairperson of Maiwakhola Rural Municipality, said that the collapse of the bridge, part of the road linking Dobhan Bazaar of Khamlung to the district headquarters, Phungling, has dashed the hopes of local residents to enjoy year-round transport facilities. He added that people, particularly in the Phakumba area, will continue to face difficulties accessing transportation following the damage to the bridge under the Tirtire–Kharte–Phakumba–Samtong–Sindholung Waterfall road section.

During the winter season, when the river water level recedes, vehicles can operate even without a bridge. However, in the monsoon season, rising water levels in the Neruwa Khola deprive travellers and locals along this road section, including Phakumba, of transport services due to the lack of a motorable bridge.