A motorable bridge under construction over the Tamakoshi River has collapsed again. The bridge connects Kunauri (Manthali-6) and Bhatauli (Manthali-7) in Ramechhap and broke down on Sunday morning while still being rebuilt.
According to locals, the slab on the Bhatauli side of the bridge fell down during construction. Shockingly, this same section had collapsed earlier on Baisakh 26, and was under reconstruction when it failed again. Suraj Shrestha, a resident of Mugitaar, confirmed that the same part broke twice within a month.
The project is being handled by Kalika/Kalpavriksha JV, who had signed a contract worth Rs. 22.55 crore with the Department of Roads’ Bridge Division. The agreement required the bridge to be completed by the end of Bhadra 2082. So far, the company has already received 60% of the payment, yet the repeated collapse has raised serious concerns about construction quality.
The bridge is designed to be 230 meters long and 11 meters wide, and aims to improve road connectivity for Manthali, Bhatauli, Khanda Devi, and Doramba Shailung rural areas. Locals also believe the bridge will shorten the route between Khurkot (Sindhuli) and Manthali (Ramechhap).
