Gorkha, September 29
Around 150 households in and around Manakamana of Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality-3 have been facing difficulties travelling after floods triggered by recent rainfall damaged the suspension bridge connecting Silingtar and Cheres.
According to Ward Chair Deepak Pandey, residents of three settlements and pilgrims have been affected after the suspension bridge linking Silingtar in Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality-3 with Cheres, the lower station of the Manakamana cable car, was damaged.
“The residents of Silingtar, Kevarpani and Manakamana Hatiya are having difficulty reaching the highway after the bridge was damaged,” Pandey said. “More than 50 students travelling to schools and colleges in Kurintar and Muglin are also facing problems. Farmers are unable to easily take their vegetables to market or purchase essential goods.”
He said residents now have to make a detour of one and a half to two hours to reach Theuwatar and cross another bridge.
Previously, pilgrims who could not or did not want to use the cable car would cross the bridge to reach Silingtar and then take buses or jeeps to the temple.
“The pilgrims are also facing difficulties,” Pandey said. “This time, the bridge has been damaged so badly that there is not even enough space to park a jeep.”
The bridge had also been damaged by floods two years ago.
