Khotang, January 11, 2026 - After months of disruption, a temporary Bailey bridge over the Sunkoshi River at Foksingtar has been successfully installed and opened to traffic, re-establishing a crucial transportation link between Khotang and Udayapur districts.
The new Bailey bridge now provides direct connectivity on the Sagarmatha Lokmarg, the shortest and most strategic road connecting Khotang to the Terai plains. The previous permanent bridge, which linked Lichkiramche in Khotehang Rural Municipality-9 (Khotang) with Aaptar in Rautamai Rural Municipality-5 (Udayapur), was swept away by a powerful flood on Ashoj 12 last year, cutting off the direct route and forcing travelers to take significantly longer detours.
Due to the washed-away bridge, local commuters and goods carriers had been compelled to travel via Ghurmi and Katari, adding time and cost to journeys. Motorcyclists, however, had been crossing the river using a nearby suspension footbridge, which was not feasible for larger vehicles.
The temporary Bailey bridge - installed this year after the Koshi River’s water level had receded - was completed on Poush 26 by Aryan Construction Multipurpose, Katari under contract with the Gaighat-Diktel Road Office, Udayapur. Director Ram Thapa confirmed that vehicles began using the bridge from the morning of Poush 27.
The project was awarded at a cost of NPR 9,677,937 to Aryan Construction, which completed the installation just in time to restore connectivity before the harsher winter conditions.
“With the temporary Bailey bridge now operational, the Sagarmatha Lokmarg route is again facilitating direct travel between Khotang and the Terai - easing transport difficulties for residents, traders, and commuters,” Thapa said.
While the Bailey bridge brings immediate relief to local communities, it is only a short-term solution. There is still no finalized plan for reconstructing the permanent bridge that was destroyed by last year’s floods. Local leaders and residents alike are calling for prompt reconstruction of the permanent structure to ensure year-round, stable connectivity and boost economic activity in this remote region.
Background: The Sagarmatha Lokmarg is an important artery linking the hilly districts of eastern Nepal to the national highway network and the Terai plains. Loss of the Foksingtar bridge has significantly affected logistics, rising transportation costs, and limited access to essential services for many households in Khotang over the past months.
