The removal of Bailey bridges at Phoksingtar and Bansilaghat has again cut off direct transport connectivity between Khotang district and the southern plains, disrupting the supply of goods and affecting local businesses.

As the monsoon approaches, the temporary bridges installed during winter are dismantled every year due to rising water levels in the Sunkoshi river. The cycle of installation and removal continues to cost millions of rupees annually in the absence of permanent infrastructure.

The Phoksingtar bridge under the Sagarmatha Highway connects Lichkiramche in ward 9 of Khotehang Rural Municipality, Khotang, with Anptar in ward 5 of Rautamai Rural Municipality, Udayapur. The temporary Bailey bridge came into operation on January 11 this year.

The previous permanent bridge at Phoksingtar, which took around 12 years to construct, was swept away by floods last year, within a year of its completion.

According to Binam Dahal, chief of the Infrastructure Development Office, Khotang, the installation and removal contract for the Phoksingtar Bailey bridge was awarded to MA/S Aryan Construction Multipurpose Pvt Ltd of Katari-3, Udayapur, for Rs 9.6 million.

Similarly, the Bailey bridge at Bansilaghat over the Sunkoshi river began being dismantled on May 10 after water levels started rising. The bridge links ward 5 of Barahpokhari Rural Municipality in Khotang with ward 1 of Chaudandigadhi Municipality in Udayapur.

The installation and removal contract for the Bansilaghat bridge was awarded to Gurukul Builders and Suppliers Pvt Ltd of Rautahat for Rs 5.7 million.

For the installation of the temporary bridge, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development of Koshi Province had allocated Rs 18.7 million to procure the bridge materials and hand them over to the Infrastructure Development Office, Khotang.

A permanent bridge is under construction at Bansilaghat at a cost of Rs 191.84 million, with a completion deadline of 33 months. The contract was signed with Kalika–Vedanshi JV on November 17, 2022. Locals, however, said construction progress has remained slow.

Rajan Acharya, chair of the Khotang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the disruption of direct transport links with the Tarai has created difficulties in transporting consumer goods and construction materials.

He said goods now have to be routed via Katari, while cargo transported through the Gaighat-Diktel road must be carried across the suspension bridge at Phoksingtar.

“Loading and unloading goods multiple times has caused breakage, loss and water damage,” Acharya said. “This is expected to increase prices by Rs 3 to Rs 5 per kilogram.”