Laljhadi Community Longs for Concrete Bridge over Doda River to Escape Toll Charges and Flooding Woes

Kanchanpur: Residents of Laljhadi, a remote region in Kanchanpur, find themselves yearning for a better transportation infrastructure as their dream of a concrete bridge spanning the Doda River still remains unrealized. For years, locals have been relying on the dilapidated Kathe bridge, paying tolls for its usage, in order to cross the river and access essential services.

Every day, Prema Rana, a teacher at Siddhabaijanath Secondary School in Laljhadi Rural Municipality-2, must traverse the Doda River using the Kathe bridge. Expressing concern about the deteriorating state of the bridge, she shared, "We have been relying on the Kathe bridge for years, but its condition is worsening." Prema, like many others, pays a monthly fee in advance to utilize the bridge daily.

The experiences of Kamal Saud from Laljhadi Rural Municipality-4 Sikhalpatti echo Prema's sentiments. Kamal used to pay tolls daily for crossing the river on his bicycle via the Kathe bridge. Bemoaning the lack of a concrete bridge over the Doda River, he expressed frustration, stating, "Construction on the concrete bridge began years ago, but it remains unfinished."

Local residents currently incur a fee of Rs 10 for bicycles and Rs 30 for motorcycles to utilize the Kathe bridge. In the absence of a reliable alternative, Saraswati Rana's family, residing in Laljhadi Rural Municipality-4, took the initiative to construct a bridge using personal funds. Saraswati spends her days at the Kathe bridge, collecting fees from commuters. She shared, "Over two hundred people cross the river using the wooden bridge daily, and the earnings support our household expenses."

The current makeshift bridge consists of planks made from sal wood, supported by stones. For years, Laljhadi residents have been compelled to navigate the deteriorating wooden structure to reach their village. Semlal Rana, a local resident, expressed his dissatisfaction, remarking, "Despite the passage of time, the necessity of paying tolls and crossing the river through the Kathe bridge remains unchanged. The dream of commuting over a concrete bridge persists."

Laljhadi, situated in a remote district, becomes isolated during the monsoon season due to flooding. From November to June, locals can only rely on the Kathe bridge for river crossings. During the dry season, the Doda River swells, exacerbating the hardships faced by the community. "When the river floods during the rainy season, this route becomes impassable," stated Semlal Rana. "We can only utilize the wooden bridge for seven months."

The aspiration for a concrete bridge continues to be an unfulfilled desire for the Laljhadi community, who yearn for improved connectivity and relief from the challenges imposed by the river's unpredictable nature.