Banking News – After the Trishuli River flood swept away the Furkhekhola bridge, motorcycle traffic has increased on the Malekhu suspension bridge being used as an alternative. With the rush of passengers returning after celebrating Dashain, people have to wait a long time for their turn to cross the suspension bridge, and even pedestrians are facing difficulties in movement.

A notice has been affixed at the bridge over the Trishuli River in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-3, stating that only one vehicle will be allowed to cross at a time. However, when many motorcycles and scooters enter at once, pedestrians are also forced to move through narrow spaces.

Shivaraj Sapkota, a social worker, stated that the safety risk has increased as vehicle traffic on the suspension bridge grows. He says the presence of local administration or security personnel must be made mandatory when crowding increases on the bridge. Since there is not enough space for pedestrians to walk both ways after motorcycles enter the bridge, people have to cross by avoiding each other.

Abhishek Adhikari, a motorcyclist returning to Chitwan from Dhading, shared his experience of having to wait a long time for his turn to cross the bridge.

“I had to sit in traffic in the sun for more than half an hour to wait for my turn on the bridge,” he said.

He stated that although there is concern about the bridge’s safety, he is compelled to use this route out of necessity.

Before Dashain, local youths used to sit at the bridge entrance and allow only one motorcycle to enter at a time. The crowd became difficult to control after the number of passengers returning to Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan increased after Dashain ended. The flood on Bhadau 10 had swept away the Furkhekhola bridge connecting the district headquarters Dhadingbesi with the Prithvi Highway. After this, motorcyclists traveling to the headquarters and surrounding areas have been using the suspension bridge over the Trishuli River as an alternative route.