The lack of a concrete bridge in Chame, the headquarters of Manang, has caused significant travel difficulties for the locals. As a temporary solution, a wooden bridge has been constructed with the assistance of Chame Rural Municipality and local youths. This wooden bridge aims to facilitate movement in Chame. Chame is considered as the heart of the district.
While the process of road expansion is underway, wooden bridges are being constructed at four different locations in Chame. Locals have expressed that the absence of a concrete bridge will increase the risks during the rainy season. Timangkhola in Chame-1 Timang, Syarkukhola in Chame-2, and Ghattekhola in Chame-4 can only be crossed via wooden bridges.
Lokendra Bahadur Ghale, Chairperson of Chame Rural Municipality, stated that despite repeated coordination with the Besisahar Chame road project, a concrete bridge could not be built for the long term. He added that during the rainy season, floods will wash away the wooden bridges, causing travel difficulties again. It takes five to seven lakhs per year to build a wooden bridge, which forces them to allocate a budget for these bridges that could be used elsewhere. Chairperson Ghale emphasized that instead of investing in income generating areas, there’s an obligation to spend on constructing wooden bridges. Despite discussions with the federal and provincial governments regarding road construction projects, the complaints of the citizens couldn’t be addressed as the bridge construction remained unresolved.
Since Manang is a popular tourist area, the wooden bridges on this road serving as its backbone has posed problems for vehicles and locals traveling through. Locals say that they have to travel through nine wooden bridges on the main road of the district and cross Tilicho Lake, Thorangla Bhanjyang in Upper Manang. They added that the situation becomes even more challenging during floods.
Similarly, Subash Kumar Lamichhane, the Chief District Officer mentioned that discussions regarding the construction of the bridge are ongoing. He additionally emphasized that prioritizing bridge construction is crucial, especially considering the risk posed by the absence of bridges in the tourist area.
Likewise Suman Adhikari, sub-engineer of the Dumre Besisahar Chame Road Project Office, informed that an agreement has been reached for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to construct a concrete bridge in the district. Adhikari mentioned that the DPR includes plans for the construction of 15 bridges. Once the budget is allocated, the work will be tendered, and construction will promptly commence after bids are called for.
People traveling from different parts of the district, including passengers, tourists, and drivers, have to rely on wooden bridges because there aren’t any concrete bridges available. Locals mention that traveling through wooden bridges becomes even more difficult and risky, especially during the rainy season.