HUMLA: A Bailey bridge has been successfully installed over Lotikhola in Chankheli Rural Municipality, establishing a direct road connection between Humla and Mugu districts.
The 42-meter-long bridge, built at a cost of Rs 49.8 million, now stands 10 meters above the Karnali River and measures 3.15 meters in height. It features three panels and three decks, according to Naresh Raj Jaisile, Chief Engineer at the Infrastructure Development Office.
Until now, the absence of a proper bridge at Lotikhola had created significant hardship for locals. During winter, when the river’s water level dropped, vehicles would cross directly through the riverbed.
In other seasons, a temporary wooden bridge allowed light vehicles to pass, but this was often washed away by floods during the monsoon, forcing people to rely on boats.
For residents of Chankheli Rural Municipality, the lack of a bridge also meant they had to cross a Tuin (ropeway) system to reach Piplang, the rural municipality’s center.
The new Bailey bridge has removed the need for dangerous river crossings through three wards, said Rural Municipality Chair Pyarilal Shahi. He noted that the bridge was completed swiftly following consistent effort and coordination.
The bridge will also benefit travelers from Mugu, Jumla, and other districts visiting pilgrimage sites like Kailash Mansarovar and tourist destinations such as Rara Lake.
Previously, such travel required detours through Bajura. Now, with the new connection, people can travel directly to the district headquarters of both Humla and Mugu.
The Humla-Mugu road link is set to be officially inaugurated on July 19. The Bailey bridge was constructed nearly four years after the completion of the Rural Access Programme (RAP 3) road section from Salisalla in Chankheli to Bhatyachaur in Mugu.
The project began under an agreement signed in December 2024, between the Infrastructure Development Office and the Infrastructure Development Directorate under the Karnali Province Government’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development. The bridge was completed in just five months, with final construction wrapping up on July 12.
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