Collapse of suspension bridge causes travel hardship for 150 households in Manakamana area

Recent floods have washed away a suspension bridge connecting Cheres, where the lower station of the Manakamana cable car is located, with Silingtar in Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality-3, Gorkha.

According to Ward Chairperson Deepak Panday, the absence of the bridge has caused hardship for residents of three areas—Silingtar, Kewarpani and Manakamana Hatiya—as well as for pilgrims.

Following the bridge's collapse, about 150 households in and around Manakamana are finding it difficult to reach the highway. More than 50 students attending schools and colleges in Muglin and Kurintar have also faced travel difficulties.

Local farmers are having trouble taking their produce to market and bringing back essential goods. Ward Chairperson Panday said residents now have to walk one and a half to two hours around to reach Theuwatar, where an alternative bridge is available.

Previously, pilgrims unable or unwilling to take the cable car would cross this bridge to reach Silingtar, from where they would take a bus or jeep to Manakamana Temple. With the bridge's collapse, these devotees are also now facing difficulty reaching the temple.