Temporary Bridge Allows Vehicles to Reach Filim in Chumanubri Rural Municipality

Gorkha. A vehicle has reached Filim, the center of Chumanubri Rural Municipality. A jeep carrying tourists reached the area across the Budhi Gandaki River from Nagchet on Wednesday.

Vehicles operate on the Benighat Arughat Larke Road up to Pansing via Nagchet. However, due to the lack of a motorable bridge, vehicles could not reach Filim, which is located beyond Nagchet. Local entrepreneurs have constructed a temporary bridge over the Budhi Gandaki.

The footpath from the riverbank to Filim has been widened. This has made it easier for vehicles to reach that area. Local resident Kumari Gurung stated that the temporary bridge was built to allow four-wheeled vehicles to move easily.

“Previously, one had to descend at Nagchet and walk across the suspension bridge,” she said, “Now, a temporary bridge has been built for vehicles to cross.” She informed that the temporary bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River was constructed using Hume pipes and iron.

She further mentioned that with vehicles reaching the area, goods can be transported at affordable prices, and it will be easier to take patients to health facilities via ambulance. However, Gurung noted that since it is a temporary bridge, it is not a long-term solution to the problem.

“This bridge will probably last until the flood comes in the river; if the flood comes, it will be washed away. A permanent bridge is necessary,” Gurung said.

A central team visited the area last Bhadra to survey for the construction of a permanent bridge there. However, the work could not proceed because the road network connecting from the Budhi Gandaki riverbank beyond Nagchet to Filim has not been established.

The Rural Municipality has allocated a budget for opening the road track and sent it to the Department of National Parks for approval. Although the file has moved from the National Park to the Ministry of Forest, no decision has been received. Chief Administrative Officer of the Rural Municipality, Manoj Lamichhane, stated that this is why the work could not be advanced.

“We are preparing to open the 4.5-kilometer road track from the riverbank to Filim,” Officer Lamichhane said. He added that the construction of a motorable bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River could not move forward due to the lack of a road track.

The Rural Municipality has allocated NPR 1.25 crore for opening the road track.

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