Collapse of Mahakali suspension bridge halts traffic between Dodhara Chandani and Mahendranagar

Traffic has stopped at the historic Mahakali suspension bridge, which connects Dodhara Chandani in Kanchanpur with Mahendranagar, after the bridge broke apart. The bridge broke in the middle on Wednesday morning, Asoj 14, when its third pillar on the western side fell into the river. One section of the bridge is now hanging over the Mahakali river.

Pedestrians and two-wheelers have been completely barred from crossing. A team led by Deputy Director General Kamal Kumar Adhikari of the Department of Local Infrastructure Development is inspecting the site and assessing the damage. The department said repair or reconstruction work will only proceed after the results of a technical study are available.

For four-wheelers, a four-lane motorable bridge about one kilometre north is in operation. But the suspension bridge was the main route for pedestrians and two-wheeler users. Since the bridge closed, daily life for locals has become difficult.