Dharan. A year after the collapse of the Hariyali Tridhange Khahare Bridge at Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-8, the locals are forced to move around risking their daily lives due to lack of reconstruction. The bridge, which was completed in March 2080, collapsed less than six months ago. Locals have complained that even after one year, the concerned authorities have not taken any initiative for repair or reconstruction.

Jeevan Tamang, a local, said, “We have to walk from here even though the bridge has collapsed for years. Now it is raining, there is a fear of flooding in the river, but there is no alternative. ’

According to him, after the collapse of the bridge, pedestrians are moving at risk and vehicles are forced to use alternative routes. Amrit Shrestha, 79, a local, said, “Vehicles take the winding route, but old people, children and students like us have to walk at risk.” Earlier, there was a short distance to reach BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences while using this bridge, but now using the alternative winding route will delay the patients and it is having a serious impact, according to locals.

As the rainy season has already started, there is a danger of flooding in khahare rivulet and entering the settlement. Dhan Bahadur Rai, ward chair of Dharan Bazaar, said that around 200 houses are directly at risk of flooding as the waste water from dharan market area is mixed with this rivulet. According to him, the bridge, which was constructed in 2017 BS to make it easier to go to the British Ghopa Camp, has now completely collapsed. According to him, the bridge collapsed due to blacktopping of the old bridge without constructing a new bridge during the construction of The Madan Bhandari Highway.

Deputy Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, Aindra Bikram Begha, said that on-site inspection of the bridge has already been carried out. He said efforts were being made to solve the problems of the locals by starting the process of rebuilding the bridge soon.

According to Madan Bhandari Highway Construction Project engineer Ghanshyam Khadka, the bridge was blacktopped in 2080. However, the iron used in the culvert was damaged due to old fermentation, he said.

He informed that a temporary iron bridge has been constructed from the side so that small vehicles and tempos can operate after the road built temporarily after the culvert was broken. He said that the process of preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for a permanent solution is underway and construction of the new bridge will be started after that.

According to him, the cost and details of the bridge are not on record as it is very old. According to him, the recent floods have increased the internal erosion in khahare rivulet, which has further created panic among the locals. The river has cut a lot. Construction of a new bridge is essential. Engineer Khadka said that the construction should be done after studying and it may take some time.

Locals are worried that the water level in the rainy season will be high and the current of the canal may change and enter the settlement as the sewage of Dharan market area gets mixed with the canal. Locals have been urging the government and concerned bodies to expedite the reconstruction of the bridge. According to locals, the delay in the construction of the bridge could lead to loss of life and property.