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People in northwestern edge of Nepal wait for vital bridge

People in northwestern edge of Nepal wait for vital bridge

On May 28, presenting the financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun announced that all 77 districts of Nepal are now connected by the national road network. However, the ground reality paints a different picture.

Without a bridge over the Karnali River at Chuwa Khola of Kharpunath rural municipality, Simkot, the district headquarters of Humla, remains disconnected from the national road network. Villagers in the northwestern corner of Nepal, bordering Tibet in China, face hardships due to the absence of this crucial bridge. Although the track to Simkot was opened in mid-April, the bridge construction is yet to be completed, leaving a 12 km section unconnected.

Currently, vehicles carrying goods along the Karnali Corridor can only reach Kharpu. From there, goods must be transported by helicopters and carried over the river using cables, which incurs additional costs. This method is feasible only when the water level is low. Due to the lack of a bridge, around ten vehicles bought for government offices and passenger services via Surkhet were transported across the river using ropes and a bulldozer and are now operating on the Simkot side.

In 2007-08, the government announced in the annual budget its intention to connect Simkot to the national road network. However, even after a decade and a half, Simkot remains unconnected. In September 2021, the joint venture of Swachchhanda, Mount, and Pumori was awarded a Rs110 million contract for the bridge. The construction companies received an Rs11 million advance, with a project completion deadline set for March this year. However, construction was delayed, necessitating a design change due to a hot water spring discovered at the foundation site.

Bel Bahadur Nepali, chief of the Simikot-Hilsa Road Construction Project, explained that the bridge’s initial design was deemed unsuitable after the spring was found, requiring a new design, which was approved two weeks ago. Construction is expected to start in July, with a new deadline of August 2025.

Local residents, facing ongoing difficulties, have demanded a Bailey or portable bridge as a temporary solution. Binod Kumar Pokharel, chief district officer, highlighted that due to the river’s high flow year-round, vehicles need to be towed across with the help of an earthmover. The locals are pushing for a Bailey bridge to alleviate these issues.

Until last year, vehicles operated from Khulalu of Kalikot towards Mugu-Bajura-Sillisalla of Humla. This year, a 39-kilometre stretch was added, with 8 km completed by the project and the remaining 9 km by the Nepal Army. The road from Khulalu of Kalikot to the Chinese border is 268 km long, of which 95 km south of Simkot is served by transportation. However, without the bridge, passengers must change vehicles at the river, incurring higher costs.

Dan Bahadur Shahi, a senior citizen, noted that vehicle operators charge higher fares due to the lack of a bridge. Jeeps on the 12km Simkot-Kharpu stretch charge Rs700 to Rs1,000 per person, and the journey from Kharpu via Sillisalli to Surkhet costs Rs7,000 per person. The absence of a bridge forces passengers to use porters to cross the river, adding to the expenses.

The cost of daily consumables in Simkot is also high. Bhim Bahadur Rokaya, a trader in Simkot, stated that goods-carriers do not operate there, and small jeeps permitted to carry passengers cannot transport goods efficiently. Prices remain high as goods must be transported by porters. Rokaya emphasized that prices would not decrease unless a bridge is constructed across the Kharpu River, allowing trucks to ferry goods.

Pokharel mentioned that route permits are currently issued only from Khulalu of Kalikot to Sillisalli, resulting in unregulated fares. The Transport Management Office in Jumla has been directed to manage route permits and fares, with decisions to be made by the transportation management committee soon.

मल्टिमिडिया ग्यालरी

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