Bharatpur, Chitwan: Shivam Cement has paid NPR 8.6 million in compensation to the government for damage caused to the Binayi Khola Bridge on the Narayanghat–Butwal section of the East–West Highway. The damage occurred on January 10 when a heavily loaded Indian truck (registration number NL 01 AH 5179) attempted to cross the bridge, leading to its collapse. This incident caused significant disruption for travelers along the critical highway.
According to Narayan Prasad Lamichhane, Senior Division Engineer at the Road Division Bharatpur, Shivam Cement deposited the compensation amount into the Road Division's account through Nepal Lines Pvt. Ltd. The company was held accountable for bringing goods using a vehicle exceeding the bridge's weight limit.
Following the bridge collapse, the Department of Roads formed an investigation committee led by Deputy Director General of the Bridge Division, Lalijung Khanal. The committee concluded that the repair of the bridge would require NPR 8.6 million. This amount was collected as compensation from Shivam Cement. Engineer Ashish Nepal from the Road Division Bharatpur confirmed that the Indian truck was released after the payment, with strict instructions to ensure that future vehicle loads comply with weight limitations.
Deputy Director General Khanal remarked that the compensation amount was relatively low, as it only covered immediate repairs to make the bridge operational. He further noted that ongoing road expansion and the construction of a new bridge along the Narayanghat–Butwal stretch played a role in determining the compensation amount.
This incident is not isolated. Bridges such as the Jay Shree Bridge in Gaindakot, Lokaha Bridge in Kawasoti, and Baulaha Khola Bridge in Daldale have also faced damage over the years. Many of these aging structures have been repeatedly repaired to keep them functional for over a decade. Until the completion of new infrastructure under the Narayanghat–Butwal road expansion project, vehicles will continue to use these older bridges.
The incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of weight restrictions for heavy vehicles and accelerated construction of new infrastructure to support growing transportation demands.
