More than a dozen bridges in Dhanusha and Mahottari section along the East West highway have worn out with travellers forced to brace increased risks. 

With the unchecked excavation of sand from right under the bridges over Dhanusha's Basai, Aaurahi, Hardinath, Jalad, Charnath and Kamal rivers and Mahottari's Ratu, Bhabsi, Gandanta, Maraha, Dholan and Banke rivers, the bridges are becoming weaker with the looming danger of the bridges giving way any day, according to the Road Division Office, Janakpur. 

The 21 km stretch of road in Dhanusha section of the East-West highway has 11 bridges among which 10 are in dilapidated conditions. The 77 km stretch of road from Dhanusha's Kamala area to Sarlahi's western border in the Bagmati river has 40 small and big bridges. 

At least 39 bridges built with support of the then Soviet Russia and Indian government in 1972 are on verge of collapsing, Road Division Office, Janakpur said. The bridges in this section of Dhanusha are all in need for immediate repair except the Badahari river bridge. 

The bridges along the 17 km stretch of the highway in Mahottari border – which is considered the 'lifeline' network linking Kathmandu with Tarai – Madhes – are also facing problems. The illegal excavation taking place under the 15 bridges including the bridges over Banke, Dulan, Bhabsi, Maraha, Jungaha and Ratu is the reason these bridges are becoming weaker. 

Meanwhile, the locals have vehemently demanded with the government to repair these bridges along the highway considered the backbone of the road network linking various parts of the country. RSS