Sirha. The under-construction bridge over Kamala, the border of Siraha and Dhanusha districts along the Postal Highway, is yet to be completed even after 15 years. The construction of the bridge has been in limbo for a long time compelling the locals and the people compelled to cross the river risking their way through the Postal Highway.

Regular and smooth transportation has not been possible in the Kamala River due to the delay in the construction of the bridge. The problem is further aggravated when the water level in the river increases during the rainy season. In the absence of bridges, passengers are compelled to resort to boats. According to the passengers, they have to pay around one hundred rupees to cross the river.

Although it is easy to reach the destination by road, there is a compulsion to cross the river in the middle of the road due to the lack of bridges. Passengers are at greater risk as they have to cross the river with motorcycles and other vehicles. Locals said there is also a risk of accidents while crossing the river by boat as the river level is high especially during the rainy season.

The construction of the bridge over the Kamala River was expected to ease transportation between various districts of Madhes, including Siraha, Dhanusha and other districts of Madhes.The bridge was expected to make the Postal Highway more effective and ease the movement of locals, trade and trade and transportation of agricultural products. However, due to continuous delay in the construction work, the expectations of the locals have not been fulfilled yet.

Due to the delay in the construction of the bridge, the daily commuters have to spend time and extra money. Even those who go to hospitals, markets and other services in case of emergency have to face the problem of crossing the river .

Locals have been demanding the authorities concerned to expedite the construction of the bridge, which had been stalled for a long time, within the stipulated time.Stating that the general public has been directly bearing the brunt of the delay in development projects, they stressed the need to identify the problems seen in the construction and make the responsible parties accountable.

While there is uncertainty about when the bridge, which has been under construction for the past 15 years, will be completed, the compulsion to cross the Kamala River with the help of boat has not been removed yet.In order to make the Postal Highway fully operational, it is necessary to complete the construction of Kamala Bridge linking Siraha-Dhanusha at the earliest. Look at the rest of the image: