Dodhara-Chandani Suspension Bridge Collapses into Mahakali River, Disrupting a Vital Lifeline

Dhangadhi: The Dodhara-Chandani suspension bridge, an iconic landmark of Sudurpaschim Province spanning the Mahakali River, collapsed on Wednesday morning. Authorities had halted traffic after a section of the bridge, a major tourist attraction, was observed rising abnormally. Shortly after movement was stopped, one span of the bridge snapped and fell into the Mahakali River.

According to Kanchanpur Chief District Officer (CDO) Madan Koirala, traffic was suspended after a 5-to-7-meter section of the bridge was seen lifting unusually. He said the third tower from the Dodhara side subsequently sustained damage, causing a section of the bridge to break and plunge into the river.

“There are eight towers on the bridge. The third tower from the Dodhara side is the one that was damaged,” said CDO Koirala. “All traffic across the bridge has now been completely halted.”

The administration has attributed the damage to the massive flood that occurred a few days earlier. Following incessant rainfall between the 9th and 11th, the flow of the Mahakali River had surged to 180,000 cusecs. “Our preliminary assessment is that the bridge sustained damage due to that flood,” Koirala said.

A technical team has conducted an on-site inspection following the damage. The team, which included Engineer Prakash Bam, a recognized expert on suspension bridges, examined the condition of the structure.

Meanwhile, a team led by Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Khagaraj Bhatta also inspected the damaged bridge. Om Bikram Bhat Saral, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development, who accompanied the Chief Minister, said the provincial government was ready to coordinate with the federal government and relevant agencies for the bridge’s reconstruction.

More Than a Tourist Attraction: A Lifeline for Dodhara-Chandani
The suspension bridge, which connects Dodhara-Chandani and Bhimdatta Municipality, is not merely a tourist attraction but vital infrastructure that supports the daily commute of thousands of residents in the borderland settlements.

Before the bridge was built, crossing the Mahakali River was difficult for residents of Dodhara-Chandani. Even during winter, they had to walk for hours across the riverbed to reach Mahendranagar. During the monsoon, when the river's flow increased, they had to take a circuitous route via the Banbasa Bridge on the Nepal-India border to travel between the areas.

The construction of the suspension bridge reduced both travel distances to Mahendranagar and the hardships associated with the journey for Dodhara-Chandani residents. Locals began using the bridge to commute to Bhimdatta for daily work, trade, education, healthcare, and other essential activities.

Over time, the bridge also became a popular tourist destination. Domestic tourists began visiting to see and cross the structure, which stretches across the wide expanse of the Mahakali River.

A Two-Decade-Old Bridge Once Ranked Asia’s Second Longest
The Dodhara-Chandani suspension bridge was constructed in 2004 (2061 BS). Built at a cost of approximately NPR 94.24 million, the bridge spans 1,452 meters.

At the time of its construction, it was known as the second-longest suspension bridge in Asia. However, two longer suspension bridges have since been built within Nepal itself.

Maintenance work had previously been carried out on the bridge. In 2076 BS, more than Rs 10 million was spent on repairs. Yet, within just a few years of that maintenance, critical structural components of the bridge have sustained damage once again.

The administration says the actual cause of the damage and the necessary steps for reconstruction will become clear following a technical assessment.