Rajbiraj, July 9

Vehicular movement has been obstructed along the East-West Highway in Saptari after a bridge over the Mahuli River at Agnisair Krishnasabaran collapsed due to floods triggered by heavy rainfall in the district.

“Of the 1,100-metre bridge, 50 metres on the northern side has collapsed due to floods in the river yesterday,” said Bodhraj Subedi, a local. However, one-way traffic has opened.

At least 3,000 vehicles pass through the bridge on a daily basis. “Though one-way traffic is being operated smoothly, the river is most likely to sweep away the remaining part of the bridge if it rains heavily once again.

The part of the bridge had caved in a little four days ago and we informed Lahan-based Road Division Office but in vain. It collapsed due to lack of timely repairs and carelessness of authorities concerned,” regretted SP Mukesh Kumar Singh.

However, Eastern Regional Director of the Department of Road Deepak Kumar Bhattarai said that they had begun the repair work without obstructing traffic movement. He said that they had to repair the caved-in part after demolishing it. He said that it might take around a week to repair the bridge.