Why Are Bridges Collapsing Before Completion? Examining the Issue
Under-construction bridges in Panchthar and Taplejung have been damaged by floods, disrupting local life and causing significant losses to government investments. Pawan Bhattarai, Head of the Road Division Office in Ilam, emphasized the need for a thorough study to determine the causes of the damage to the bridges. Bridge design expert Sakil Manandhar has suggested that climate change necessitates updating technology and construction methods for building bridges.
On March 31, in Panchthar, bridges under construction over Mewakhola in Panchthar and Neruwa River in Taplejung, located along the Mid-Hill Highway, collapsed during floods. Both bridges were scheduled to be completed during this year’s monsoon season. Engineers confirmed that the damage was caused by flooding. Every year, floods destroy and damage bridges in districts such as Eastern Panchthar, Ilam, and Taplejung, causing hardships for local residents and incurring substantial losses to government projects.
The recurring flood damage—and resulting destruction—of bridges and Bailey bridges has raised questions about the need to revise construction technology. For example, the Mewakhola bridge on the Mid-Hill Highway was previously washed away by floods in Ashad 2080 (mid-2023). The current damage occurred at the same construction site. At that time, five bridges were swept away by floods in Panchthar alone. “The contractor had completed work ahead of the deadline, including concrete casting. However, the flood in Chaitra caused damage to the staging and ultimately destroyed the bridge,” said Shivram Prasad Dev, engineer at the Mid-Hill Highway Project Office in Phidim. “The bridge was expected to be ready for vehicle use within a few weeks.”
Similarly, bridges over Oyam Khola and Phalame Khola along the highway were destroyed by floods in Asad 2081 (mid-2024). Numerous bridges in Panchthar, Taplejung, and Ilam have been swept away by floods over the years. This year, a Bailey bridge over Hellok Khola in Taplejung was also destroyed by floods in Shrawan (July-August). In 2080 BS, four motorable bridges over Hewakhola in Panchthar washed away. Subsequently, a Bailey bridge over Hewakhola along the Mechi Highway was also destroyed by floodwaters in Ashoj 2081 (September-October) and replaced with a modular bridge.
“The pattern of how water flows has changed. Floods in the months of Chaitra, Ashoj, and Kartik have been damaging the bridges. We need to study the reasons for these damages,” Pawan Bhattarai of the Road Division Office Ilam stated. “No matter how well roads and infrastructure are built, factors like encroachment and human-made disturbances continue to affect these structures.” Bridges built and under construction in the hills are suffering flood damage annually. Bridges designed to withstand a 100-year flood are collapsing within a few years. Water flow patterns have shifted, with rainfall occurring at different times and concentrated in specific areas. Such changes require detailed studies,” said Shailendra Singh, Chief of the Infrastructure Development Office in Panchthar.
The absence of bridges causes transportation difficulties during the rainy season. Despite alternative routes when parts of the Mechi Highway are blocked, problems persist due to damaged bridges. According to Naveen Sah, engineer at the Bridge Sector Project Office in Itahari, out of eight bridges, construction is ongoing on only five. While the contracts for all bridges have expired, work has stalled. Progress on bridges contracted in 2078 BS (2021-2022) remains weak: navigation bridge 39%, Lakhua Khola bridge 30%, Raghua bridge 26%, Charuwa bridge 67%, and Kabuwa bridge 25% progress only.