Settlements Along Jimruk–Lung Banks to be Connected to Road Network
News Summary
Reviewed by Editorial.
- The construction of three concrete bridges at Kitghat, Dobh, and Machhi–Pidalne on the banks of Jimruk and Lung rivers has entered its final phase.
- The Kitghat Bridge, launched on Ashad 7, 2081 (June 21, 2024), has been completed ahead of schedule.
- These bridges will connect residents of the Tushara Bensi area to the road network, facilitating daily life and emergency services.
March 24, Pyuthan. Settlements along the Jimruk and Lung rivers are set to be integrated into mainstream development.
With the three concrete bridges under construction at Kitghat (Kutichaur), Dobh, and Machhi–Pidalne reaching their final stages, a wait of nearly two decades is nearing its end.
The river was the greatest obstacle for these settlements located on the opposite side of the Bagdula–Machhi and Bagdula–Bahane roads. Although dirt roads reached these areas, the absence of bridges hindered vehicle movement. Now, with these bridges completed, these communities will be directly connected to the road network, easing daily life and emergency access.
The Kitghat Bridge, started on June 21, 2024 (Ashad 7, 2081), with a budget of NPR 47.8 million, has been finished ahead of the scheduled deadline.
The construction company, Ashu Construction Services, aims to complete the Machhi–Pidalne Bridge, costing NPR 72.6 million, within this month of Ashad.
These bridges will particularly provide relief to residents of the Tushara Bensi area. Until recently, people had to wait to see vehicles cross the river, but now the geographical and developmental gap is closing.
The Lumbini Provincial Government allocated roughly NPR 310 million (NPR 31 crore) in the fiscal year 2079/80 (2022/23), enabling the implementation of this long-delayed plan.
Driven by Provincial Assembly Member Nima Giri’s initiative, the project includes the construction of bridges at Kitghat, Pidalne, and Dobh.
Currently, the Kitghat Bridge is fully operational, while the Pidalne Bridge is 85 percent complete, and the Dobh Bridge is about 50 percent finished. Once the Dobh Bridge is complete, residents from Dobh to Piplatari will benefit directly, and the Bahane–Machhi road will be directly connected.
The bridges have reduced not only travel distance but also travel time and risk. The need to detour roughly 11 kilometers via Bagdula to reach Machhi and Tushara from Bahane will soon become a thing of the past. Risks associated with river crossing during monsoon months are expected to be eliminated as well.
According to former Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Govindraj Pokhrel, although funding constraints caused delays, the plan had been conceptualized earlier.
“After the budget was secured, the project gained momentum,” he stated.
Meanwhile, NPR 350 million has been earmarked for the Bagdula–Machhi road and NPR 120 million for the Bagdula–Adheri road paving, with rapid progress underway. Provincial Minister Saroj Thapa has been monitoring the work and has directed that the projects be completed within the stipulated timeline.
These three bridges now represent gateways to opportunity for local communities—providing access to markets for agricultural products, hospitals for patients, schools for students, and emergency services directly at their doorsteps.
The project is expected to bring significant relief to the inhabitants of settlements along the Jimruk–Lung riverbanks.