SIRAHA: Public frustration is mounting in Siraha and Dhanusha districts after the long awaited Kamala River bridge along the East-West Postal Highway was once again left without a clear budget allocation in the federal budget for fiscal year 2083/84.

Local residents say the bridge project, initiated nearly 15 years ago has remained incomplete due to repeated delays. Flood damage in recent years has further hampered progress, leaving commuters dependent on temporary repairs and makeshift diversions.

According to local resident Rambabu Sah of Dhanusha, the absence of the bridge continues to create serious hardships for people on both sides of the river.

“Had the Kamala Bridge been completed, it would take only about 30 minutes to travel from Siraha to Dhanusha. Now, alternative routes take two to three hours,” Sah said. He added that a diversion built beside the bridge was washed away by floods a few months ago, worsening transportation difficulties.

Residents also report living under constant fear during the monsoon season, recalling previous incidents in which vehicles and people were stranded or swept away by floodwaters.

Locals accuse successive governments of making repeated promises without delivering results. Jugeshwor Jhakharal of Siraha Municipality-5 said political leaders have consistently used the bridge issue during election campaigns.

“Every election, leaders promise to complete the Kamala Bridge. They win elections, visit the site, take photographs and leave. But the bridge is still unfinished,” he said.

Despite several high level inspections and monitoring visits since 2017, residents say the project has failed to move forward in any meaningful way.

The bridge contract was awarded in 2068 BS for approximately Rs 249 million but delays by the contractor, administrative complications and natural disasters have left the project stalled for years. Floods in 2021 caused additional damage to the structure.

Following the political changes that emerged after the Bhadau 23 24 movement, many locals had hoped for renewed momentum. However, disappointment grew after the federal budget announced on Jestha 15 failed to specifically mention funding for the bridge.

Local resident Kameshwor Goit said the government’s announcement to construct eight bridges under the Postal Highway project lacked clarity about which bridges would be prioritized.

“If the Kamala Bridge had been specifically included, people would have had some hope. Now even that hope is fading,” he said, arguing that repairing the existing structure is not a long term solution and could create further safety risks.

Public pressure has intensified in recent weeks. On Jestha 18, demonstrators gathered outside the Madhesh Provincial Assembly in Janakpurdham, carrying placards demanding immediate action on the bridge project.

Protesters displayed slogans such as, “Aren’t you ashamed? When will the new Kamala Bridge construction begin?” and questioned both federal and provincial authorities over the prolonged delay.

Indrajit Yadav, Ward Chair of Siraha Municipality-6, warned that residents would launch a phased protest movement if the provincial government also fails to allocate funds for the bridge.

“If neither the federal nor provincial government responds to our demands, this time the movement will be decisive,” he said.

According to Engineer Praveen Kumar Yadav, coordinator of the Hulaki Kamala Struggle Committee, memorandums have been submitted to provincial leaders, including Speaker Ram Ashish Yadav and Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav, urging intervention.

Meanwhile, lawmakers Bablu Gupta of Siraha Constituency-1 and Tapeshwar Yadav of Siraha Constituency-4 have claimed on social media that the bridge has been included under budget allocations earmarked for the Postal Highway project.

The bridge contract was awarded on May 31, 2011, to Pappu Lumbini JV for the construction of a 469.2 meter long bridge at a cost of Rs 249.09 million. More than a decade later, the project remains incomplete.