Eighty percent construction work of the new arc bridge over Trishuli River that links Mugling Bazaar and Ambukhairani to Prithvi Highway is complete. Project officials said Nepal’s first arc bridge would open within five months. Department of Road (DoR) Deputy Director General of Bridge Division Arjun Jung Thapa said after five months people would not have to use the dilapidated old bridge next to the new one that is under construction.

“We need to erect 42 columns downstream. We have installed 14 of these columns. This task would be over in three months after we put slabs on the plastered pillars,” said Thapa. After the new bridge opens, all light vehicles would use the old bridge. Construction of the bridge estimated to cost

Rs 110 million started in 2016. The project has missed two deadlines. The first was mid-October 2017 and the second, mid-March 2018.Talking to the Post, Adventure Construction representative Moti Sharma said difficult terrain at the construction site caused the delay.

“Many of our construction workers quit because of the high water level and strong currents prevailing in Trishuli River. We stopped construction work many times due to the shortage of workers. This delayed our progress. The most difficult task is complete and the bridge would open by mid- March,” Sharma said. Many local residents and people travelling in public transport are frightened to cross the dilapidated old bridge.

“Every time I cross this bridge, it grips me with fear as it is shaky. That is why the timely construction of the alternative bridge is very urgent. All want to travel safely,” said Pawan Paudel, a local journalist from Damauli. Officials permit only one heavy vehicle to cross the old bridge due to its precarious condition. This triggers long traffic congestion. Chinese government supported the construction of the old bridge 45 years ago. The government started construction of the 160-meter long new bridge after the old bridge’s plates started falling off. The beam of the old bridge has split and has shifted from its original position.

“We carried out regular maintenance and repairs of the old bridge to ensure public safety. However, people do not have to wait for a long since the new bridge would soon be operational,” said Thapa.