Damauli, October 25

Increased movement of heavy vehicles and erosion caused by Madi River have put the existence of 370 m long bridge over Madi River along Prithvi Highway at risk.

Local journalist Bishnu Gautam said the bridge was repaired after it developed a crack last year. The bridge was constructed at the cost of Rs 1 billion financial aid provided by China in 2030 BS. Dal Bahadur Lama, a local, said one vehicle was allowed to cross the bridge initially. But, after a security post set up near the bridge was removed, vehicles started plying in droves.

Former ward chairman of Byash Municipality Damodar Khanal expressed worry over the state of Madi Bridge. Pushpa Shrestha, another local, said the pillars had weakened after flood washed away dyke constructed by the municipality.

Byash Municipality spokesperson Meghnath Acharya said they were committed to protecting the bridge over Madi. He informed that the municipality had put a ban on extraction of sand and boulders from under the bridge and its periphery of 500 meters.

Bhanu Joshi, chief of Western Road Division Office, Tanahun said increased vehicular movement did not affect the bridge.