Monsoon travel disruptions become history with new Kathekhola crossing

For residents of Dudiya and surrounding communities, crossing the Kathekhola River is no longer a seasonal challenge. A newly built concrete bridge has replaced years of uncertainty during the monsoon, when swollen river waters often cut off road access and disrupted daily life. Thus, with the bridge now open to traffic, residents can travel year-round without the interruptions that were once a regular part of life.

The bridge links Bhimapokhara and Tangram, two settlements in Kathekhola Rural Municipality, creating a dependable connection that remains open even during the rainy season. Local people say the lack of a permanent crossing had long been a major obstacle, affecting travel, trade, and access to services whenever heavy rainfall made the river difficult to cross.

Constructed with funding from the Gandaki Province Government, the bridge was completed recently at a cost of Rs 36.22 million. The project, which got underway after a contract was awarded in late 2023, spans 20m and is 8.4m wide.

Officials believe the bridge will serve not only residents of Kathekhola Rural Municipality but also people living in nearby parts of Myagdi and Tarakhola. The improved road link is expected to ease the transportation of farm products and essential supplies, reducing the isolation many communities experienced during the monsoon months.