Most of the overhead bridges of the Capital city are in a dilapidated condition, thanks to lack of regular maintenance.

Structural engineers say they are in urgent need of repair. 

Most of these overhead bridges, which were built between 1998 and 2000, have developed cracks while the iron rods used to support these structures are rusted. 

Suman Meher Shrestha, a senior urban planner at the Town Development Fund, called for immediate attention to these ageing overhead bridges to avoid any accident. 

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) had handed 12 overhead bridges to a private company—Innovative Concept Nepal (ICN)—in 2000. As per the contract, the private company could lease shops built under the bridges and has to maintain and repair these structures. The company had to pay Rs 120,000 annually. The metropolis extended the contract second time on April 23, 2011 for a period of 18 years to the same company, increasing the annual charge to Rs2.2 million. “We have been sending letters to the company to repair the bridges as we have been getting complaints from the public, but to no avail,” said Gyanendra Karki, spokesperson for the KMC. 

Ram Thapa, a senior engineer at the KMC admits that such bridges are built with a life span of 15 years and they must be regularly repaired to extend their longevity. 

Six of the overhead bridges in Kathmandu were built by the KMC in the 1990s and the others were constructed under the public private partnership (PPP) model. 

Shrestha said the metropolis should have paid proper attention before going for the PPP model and handing them over to the private company. “The KMC should have thoroughly looked into the risk factor and profit sharing, as such structures are directly linked with public safety,” he said. “With none of the concerned authorities giving importance to repair and maintenance of these structures, we are waiting for disaster to happen.” 

Manoj Kumar Bhetwal of the ICN, the private company which has been handed over the overhead bridges, said his firm has repaired two bridges so far and will start repairing other bridges soon. 

But Raju Raj Thapa, who operates a public toilet on the left part of an overhead bridge in front of Bir Hospital, said the firm “comes to collect rent only” and that no repair works have been carried out. 

The company has allowed hoarding boards of different companies on the overhead bridges, through which it earns revenue.