NUWAKOT: The flood in the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 swept away the bridge over the Tadi River at Devighat, which connects Bidur and Belkotgadhi municipalities in Nuwakot. The destruction of the bridge severed a vital link between Nuwakot, Dhading, and Rasuwagadhi.
The sudden and devastating flood left many people stranded and caused further hardship after the bridge they relied on for transportation was washed away. In response, the government prioritized the construction of an Acrow bridge at Devighat to ease the difficulties faced by residents.
The Nepali Army worked around the clock and completed a 57.9-meter-long Acrow bridge in just five days. All types of vehicles have been able to operate on the bridge since Thursday evening. The opening of the bridge has provided some relief to people affected by the floods.
Saugat Pudasaini of Jiling, Belkotgadhi Municipality-8, said that although the Bhotekoshi flood had left residents deeply distressed, the construction of the bridge within five days had brought some relief.
“People were rushing back to their villages after the Bhotekoshi flood. Today, after the Nepali Army built the bridge in such a short time, they have felt some relief,” he said. “Without the Devighat bridge, it would have taken two to three hours to reach our homes using the alternative route. Now that the bridge is in operation, we can reach home in about 25 minutes.”
Similarly, Manoj Tamang of Dhunganegaon, Belkotgadhi Municipality-8, said the bridge had made it much easier for residents to return home.
“It felt as though we had lost everything when the bridge was swept away by the Bhotekoshi flood,” he said. “The construction of the new bridge has restored our hope.”
Nepali Army Lieutenant Colonel Ranjit Thapa said the army worked continuously to complete the Acrow bridge at Devighat in 72 hours of actual working time.
“Since this is an important bridge connecting Bidur and Galchhi, 55 technicians worked day and night to complete the construction,” he said. He stated that although five days had passed since work began, the actual construction period amounted to no more than 72 hours.
“We expect the completion of this bridge to make it much easier for the public and vehicles to travel through the area,” he said.
The Nepali Army handed over the bridge after conducting technical tests. Bidur Municipality Mayor Rajan Shrestha said the bridge had significantly eased the daily lives of local residents.
“The bridge was completed in a short period due to the tireless efforts of the Nepali Army. Its construction has restored the connection that had been severed with the Prithvi Highway,” he said.
Shrestha added that the municipality had provided the necessary coordination and cooperation during the construction process. The bridging unit under the Nepali Army’s 14th Battalion constructed the bridge.
Krishnanath Ojha, chief of the planning section of the Galchhi-Trishuli-Mailung-Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Road Project, Bidur, said installing the Acrow bridge was relatively straightforward after the 55-meter-long box bridge at Devighat was destroyed by the flood.
“Some minor cutting work is currently being carried out at Ratomate. We will repair that section and bring it into operation by today (Friday),” he said.
Jagdish Khadka, commander of the Nepali Army’s 14th Battalion, said the army brought a strategic reserve Acrow bridge from Gajuri and installed it over the Tadi River at Devighat.
“The Nepali Army had stored the Acrow bridge in Gajuri. We brought it from there, installed it and put it into operation,” he said.
Nepali Army said the Acrow bridge is based on American technology and is designed to provide high quality and strong load-bearing capacity. The bridge can support loads of up to 60 tonnes.
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