Key Takeaways:
- Tikulia bridge over Lalbakaiya River stalled since 2014; new contract signed in 2023 but progress slow
- Gangapipara Bagmati bridge damaged by 2024 floods; latest deadline Nov 2026
- Badaharwa Bagmati bridge foundation laid in 2009; spans built but work incomplete
- Residents face daily risks crossing rivers by boat, with past fatalities reported
Fifteen years after the foundation stone was laid for a bridge over the Lalbakaiya River at Tikulia Ghat, residents of Rautahat are still crossing the river by boata reminder of how stalled infrastructure projects continue to keep communities at risk.
The Tikulia bridge is one of three major bridges in Rautahat and Sarlahi that have remained incomplete for years, forcing residents to depend on boats during the monsoon. The other two are bridges over the Bagmati River at Badaharwa and Gangapipara along the Postal Highway.
At Tikulia Ghat in Gaur Municipality-4, construction of the bridge began after then-prime minister Sushil Koirala laid its foundation stone on June 29, 2014. The contract worth Rs 149.327 million was awarded to Pappu Construction, with completion scheduled for June 25, 2018.
The deadline passed without completion. Following repeated complaints from locals, a new agreement worth Rs 276.6 million was signed with Azad–Dipu JV on October 9, 2023, to complete the remaining work by March 14, 2025. But the project has again failed to meet its deadline, with lack of funds cited among the reasons for the slow progress.
Residents of Gaur and Ishanath municipalities continue to use boats to cross the river. The crossing is particularly difficult for elderly people, children, students, patients and pregnant women.
The danger is not merely theoretical. Five people died when a boat capsized at Tikulia Ghat in 2018. This year, local residents of Gaur and Ishanath have been allowed to cross the river by boat free of charge, while others are charged Rs 30, according to boat operator Patiram Sahani.
Another bridge stalled after flood damage
The situation is similar at Gangapipara, where a bridge over the Bagmati River is being built to connect Sarlahi and Rautahat along the Postal Highway.
The contract, worth around Rs 863.709 million, was signed with Tundi–Rasuwa–Pappu JV on June 28, 2016. Despite repeated extensions, the bridge remains unfinished. The latest deadline is November 13, 2026.
Locals say around 80 per cent of the work had been completed before floods in October 2024 washed away one span and damaged the foundation. Construction subsequently stalled amid soil testing and design review.
More than 1,000 people reportedly cross the river every day, exposing residents to difficulties in accessing markets, education, healthcare and employment.
The third stalled project is another Bagmati River bridge at Badaharwa in Durgabhagwati Rural Municipality-5. Its foundation stone was laid in 2009 by then-prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. Although the bridge spans have been constructed, remaining work has made little progress, leaving the investment tied up while residents continue to make risky crossings.
Locals, elected representatives and civil society members have demanded that the government immediately secure the necessary funds and accelerate construction of all three bridges. They have warned of protests if the projects continue to be delayed.
For residents, the issue is no longer about another foundation stone or another deadline. After years of waiting, they want a bridge they can actually use.