Khotang, May 28

It has been reported that the under-construction motorable bridge over the Dudhkoshi River at Jayaramghat, the border of Khotang and Okhaldhunga districts, will be badly affected if the old Bailey bridge is removed from the site.

As per the contractor, the removal of the Bailey bridge would have an adverse impact on the under-construction bridge.

Sitaram Karki, site engineer of the contractor company Kalika Construction, said it will take at least six months to fix the steel truss and slabs, which would otherwise take just a week, if the bridge was removed.

Earlier, the Department of Road and Eastern Regional Road Directorate Division Office Harkapur, Okhaldhunga had issued a notice directing to remove the bridge on May 29.

Following the notice, local people as well as the contractor company have raised their voice against the directive, expressing their concern about possible delay in bridge construction.

“We are working to finish the installation of truss and slabs within a week. If the bridge is not removed within the timeframe, vehicles can ply along the bridge before Dashain. But if the Bailey bridge is removed, the project will be delayed by several months,” said Karki.

The Department of Road had decided to remove the bridge citing the beginning of monsoon season. However, Karki, said the water flow was normal and the bridge would not create any problem.

Every year, the Bailey bridge is installed in mid-November and removed in mid-June.

Meanwhile, District Administration Office, Khotang, has also urged the authorities concerned not to remove the bridge at least until the elections are over.

Chief District Officer of Khotang Pralhad Pokharel said they were lobbying through the regional administration office to keep the bridge intact until the elections are over as it would be easier for the election officials, voters and security agencies to commute.

Earlier on Friday, Khotang Chambers of Commerce and Industries had written to the district administration urging not to remove the bridge until the elections. If the Bailey bridge is removed, Khotang will remain out of road connection from the major eastern towns for at least six months.