Dadeldhura, February 9

Dadeldhura folks have no option but to risk travel on most of the roads in the district, thanks to the lack of bridges over major rivers and streams.

Though the road network has connected all 18 VDCs and two municipalities in the district, locals have to risk their lives travelling for want of bridges.

Ugratara Transport entrepreneur Santosh Khadka said driving had become very risky aas they had to cross many local streams to reach the 12 VDCs and Parsuram Municipality in the inner Madhes.

“We are forced to operate vehicles in such precarious conditions due to political pressure,” Khadka said, adding, “Many streams have no bridge.”

Surendra Mali said lack of bridges had given them a tough time. “Even newly constructed roads and bridges are not durable. Given the situation, how can journeys be safe?” he asked.

District Transport Management Office Dadeldhura Chief Nar Bahadur Thapa said the locals were facing a hard time as the Department of Transport would not issue permit to operate vehicles unless the roads were upgraded.

Meanwhile, LDO Gyanraj Pandey said they had failed to build bridges due to fund crunch. “Construction of new bridges is uncertain for want of fund,” Pandey added.