Tamghas, Sep.2: The motorable bridge at Repka connecting Mirmi in Syangja in Gandaki Province and Harmichaur, Gulmi in Lumbini Province was built by the Italian government in the year 1996 and is being debilitated. 

Even though the bridge has been debilitated for over a decade, no heed is being paid to its maintenance. 

The Italian government built a bridge over the Kaligandaki River, connecting Harmichaur, Gulmi, and Mirmi in Syangja, during the construction of the Kali Gandaki “A” Hydroelectric Power Project. The bridge is becoming dilapidated after the Kaligandaki River started cutting the pillars of the bridge. 

Vehicles going from Butwal and Pokhara to Purtighat of Gulmi to Baglung have been using the bridge. 

Locals and vehicle owners have complained that no efforts have been paid to make a new bridge as an alternative from concerned even when the bridge is getting dilapidated.

Vehicle driver Gagan Taramu said that no one cared about the lives of thousands of people, saying that the bridge could collapse at any time. 

Motorists said that there is no option than to travel through the bridge with a heavy heart by taking risks.

The locals said that it is sad that no one has noticed the bridge, which has been in a dilapidated state for years. 

Taramu said that the problem has been arising as bridges are being built in unnecessary places without looking at their necessity through the connection of leaders, even when there are no streams. 

Local Tilak Rana stressed that everyone should take the initiative to build a new bridge at this place. 

Chairman of the Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Gulmi, Bed Bahadur Thapa, said that the initiative of the local government to build a new bridge in place of the dilapidated motorable bridge is continuing.

 Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said that there is a budget arrangement for the repair of the bridge from Gandaki Province in the current fiscal year. 

Section Officer Devendra Pandey said that a budget of Rs eight million has been allocated for the repair of the bridge.