Construction of Dhaplangghat Bridge Gains Momentum, Connecting Khotang to the Terai

Biratnagar. The southern region of Khotang was once known as the 'Village of Porters.' While that identity is slowly fading, the construction of a motorable bridge over the Sunkoshi River at Dhaplangghat, on the border of Khotang and Udayapur, has finally gained momentum.

The contract for the 200-meter-long bridge, connecting Suntale in Barahapokhari Rural Municipality-2 and Saune in Triyuga Municipality-14 of Udayapur, was signed on 2073 Ashar 30 for 249.1 million rupees. The foundation stone was laid by then-Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on 2074 Bhadra 31.

Although the project was initially scheduled for completion in 2076, work stalled, leaving locals frustrated for nine years. However, construction is now proceeding rapidly.

Provincial Assembly member Bhupendra Rai noted that a pillar was erected on Wednesday at a challenging section of the site. 'If one more pillar is completed, we can hope for the bridge to be operational by 2083,' he stated.

Amrit Giri of Diprung Chuichumma mentioned that the bridge will directly connect Khotang to the Terai, providing farmers with better access to markets for their agricultural produce.

According to Rai, residents of Barahapokhari, Jantedhunga, Khotehang, and Diprung Chuichumma rural municipalities will benefit, with approximately 35 percent of Khotang's population gaining direct access to the Terai. The project is being executed by Rasuwa Construction Pvt. Ltd.

The latest deadline for completion is 2084 Jestha 19, though the construction company aims to allow vehicle passage by 2083 Chaitra.

While dirt roads have existed on both sides of Dhaplangghat for years, the lack of a permanent bridge prevented heavy vehicle transit, forcing motorcycles to use a suspension bridge.

• Bridges worth 4.62 billion rupees under construction

Progress on several critical bridge projects connecting the hilly and Terai districts of Koshi Province remains slow. Out of two dozen bridges contracted for over 4.62 billion rupees under the Department of Roads (Dharan Sector), most show disappointing progress.

To date, 1.58 billion rupees have been paid, representing 34.37 percent of the total contract value. Progress on nine strategic bridges is particularly poor, with only 15.27 million rupees of financial progress recorded against a 769.8 million rupee contract. Conversely, 13 local bridges, contracted for 3.85 billion rupees, have seen 1.43 billion rupees in payments.

According to office data, only three out of 22 ongoing bridge projects show satisfactory progress, while the rest remain stalled for years.