New bridge connects communities separated by Lalbakaiya river in Nepal

Vehicles have begun using the Tikuliya bridge across the Lalbakaiya river in the Rautahat district of Nepal to connect the Gaur and Ishnath municipalities.

The bridge allows residents of Banjaraha, Auraiya, and Mathiya to travel safely to the district headquarters, hospitals, and agricultural fields. Previously, people relied on dangerous boat crossings that became life-threatening during the monsoon season. The construction of the concrete bridge began in July 2014.

Although the project was originally scheduled for completion in 2018 with a budget of Rs149.327 million, work stalled significantly. The original contractor, Pappu Construction, saw its progress fall below 17 percent by 2017 after its founder entered politics. The Department of Roads eventually blacklisted the firm and terminated the contract in June 2023. A new contractor, Azad Dipu JV Rautahat, took over the project in September 2023 with a contract worth Rs276.6 million.

While the new company faces a shortage of stones for river training work, the Road Division Office in Chandranigahapur says the project is in its final stage. Local residents noted that the delay caused several tragedies, including a 2017 boat capsize that killed five people.