A bridge under construction over the Tamakoshi River in Ramechhap district collapsed on Sunday morning, the second time the same section has failed in just over a month.

The motorable bridge, intended to connect wards 6 and 7 of Manthali Municipality—Kunauri and Bhatauli—gave way when the slab on the Bhatauli side fell during reconstruction. The same portion had collapsed earlier on May 9.

Local residents said Kalika/Kalpavriksha JV, the contractor carrying out the project work, was rebuilding the previously damaged section when it broke again.

“The same part that collapsed around a month ago has given way again while under reconstruction,” said Suraj Shrestha, a resident of Mugitaar in ward 7.

The 230-metre-long, 11-metre-wide bridge is being built to improve connectivity between Manthali and Bhatauli, and to facilitate access to Khadadevi and Doramba Sailung rural municipalities. Locals also said the bridge would create a shorter route between Khurkot in Sindhuli and Manthali.

The Rs225.54 million contract was awarded in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 under the Department of Roads’ Bridge Division. The completion deadline is set for mid-September 2025. The contractor has already received 60 percent of the payment.

The repeated collapse of the same section has raised serious concerns about construction quality, prompting locals to demand accountability.