Lamjung, July 30

Locals of Manang are facing problems due to delay in installation of a Bailey bridge over the Mardi Khola after the old bridge was swept away by floods on June 23. Lack of a bridge has restricted the mobility of locals.

A team led by Gandaki Province Chief Minister Prithivi Subba Gurung had reached the site to inspect the bridge 10 days after  the incident. Meanwhile, Minister of Physical Planning and Development Ram Saran Basnet has directed the authority concerned to construct a new bridge within 20 days.

Chairman Jhalak Bahadur Gurung of Manang said movement along the Lamjung-Manang road section was halted after flood swept away the Bailey bridge. “The water level in the river has risen and it is difficult to cross the river in the absence of a bridge.”

Assistant Chief District Officer Kamal Prasad Acharya said there was delay in building the parts of a new bridge.

According to Division Road Office, Damauli, the Bailey bridge built in Hetauda would reach Mardi Khola in a couple of days. “It takes 15 to 20 days to instal the bridge,” said engineer Sachin Shrestha at the division office. He added that a few technical tasks related to the bridge had remained. He said the bridge would come into operation by September 1, if things went as planned.