Banking News – Hotel businesses on both sides of the Dodhara Chandani suspension bridge have been devastated after the bridge collapsed and movement was halted.

After the flood in the Mahakali River in the second week of Ashoj damaged the bridge connecting Dodhara Chandani and Bhimdatta Municipality, the flow of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the area has been decreasing.

“After one of the pillars of the bridge collapsed, it feels as if a lock has been placed on our mouths,” said hotel operator Mohan Bahadur Singh. “The local administration has locked both sides of the bridge. With movement completely halted, business has been destroyed.”

According to Singh, the technical team that arrived after the bridge collapsed submitted a report estimating that reconstruction would cost Rs 20 crore and take one year. “During Dashain and Tihar, there used to be a high flow of tourists here, and this was when we made our entire year’s earnings,” Singh said. “Even now, people come to see the suspension bridge via the four-lane bridge, but the environment for sightseeing is not in place.”

He said that two-wheelers and locals of Dodhara Chandani used to cross the suspension bridge as it was a shorter route. “The water level in the Mahakali River has receded. Now the government should at least start building the bridge,” Singh said. “Until the bridge is built, businesspersons on both sides are disappointed. We used to earn Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 daily. Now it has completely stopped.”

Similarly, Ramchandra Bohara, Ward Chair of Bhimdatta Municipality-13, said that the suspension bridge, which used to be crowded during festivals, has remained deserted this time. He said, “During Dashain and Tihar, 2,000 to 3,000 tourists used to come here daily for sightseeing.” Ward Chair Bohara said, “During winter, educational tours used to make business in this area quite good.” He added that the closure of the bridge has had a widespread impact.

He emphasized the need for immediate initiatives to rebuild the bridge. “When the bridge collapsed, people’s representatives and politicians came here to understand the situation,” Bohara said. “But there is no sign of any progress on the ground regarding reconstruction.” The Sudurpashchim Provincial Government has allocated Rs 1 crore for the reconstruction of the bridge.

Meanwhile, Dinesh Malla, President of the Kanchanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that reconstruction should be initiated immediately. He stated that the Dodhara Chandani bridge is not only for ease of movement but is also known as a tourist destination in Kanchanpur. “If the bridge is not built on time, there is a possibility of tourist flow decreasing here,” President Malla said. “For tourism promotion as well, it is necessary to rebuild the bridge quickly.”