Asia’s second-longest suspension bridge, connecting Dhodhara Chandani in Kanchanpur district, Sudurpashchim Province, collapsed on Wednesday morning, September 30, 2026, disrupting the lives of approximately 42,000 residents. The bridge’s third pillar from the Dhodhara Chandani side gave way due to high water flow in the Mahakali River, causing one span and a central tower to fall into the river.
About 75 meters of the bridge were damaged, leading to a complete halt in movement across the structure, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tek Rawat, spokesperson for the Kanchanpur District Police Office. Residents of Dhodhara Chandani must now use a four-lane concrete bridge located approximately two kilometers upstream as an alternative route.
Community expresses sorrow and concern
The collapse has cast a pall of deep disappointment over the local community. Bhim Bahadur Singh, 77, a former ward member of Dhodhara Chandani Municipality-4, expressed his grief while observing the damaged bridge. “My eyes welled up seeing the state of this historic suspension bridge,” Singh said. “This bridge introduced Dhodhara Chandani to the country and abroad. We have lost an identity.”
Singh highlighted that the collapse not only affects daily commute but also impacts tourists who visit the bridge and local businesses in the surrounding area. With the Dashain and Tihar festivals approaching, he fears that tourists will not visit this year. Local resident Tika Bhatta emphasized that the bridge was not merely a link between Bhimdatta and Dhodhara Chandani municipalities but a significant tourist heritage for the entire Sudurpashchim Province. “Its reconstruction must happen as soon as possible,” Bhatta urged.
A vital link to the mainstream
Construction of the suspension bridge began in 2057 BS and was completed in 2061 BS, opening for public use in 2062 BS. Built at a cost of Rs 94 million, the bridge measures 1452.5 meters in length, earning its reputation as Asia’s second-longest. Before its construction, residents of Dhodhara Chandani were forced to travel through Indian territory via the Banbasa bridge or cross the Mahakali River by boat.
The bridge’s completion directly connected Dhodhara Chandani, once considered geographically remote, to mainstream Nepal, fostering gradual development in the area. Today, a four-lane concrete bridge has already been constructed about two kilometers north of the suspension bridge, and a dry port project, estimated to cost Rs 5.75 billion, is rapidly advancing in Dhodhara Chandani, with completion targeted for 2026.
Official response and reconstruction efforts
Prakash Rawal, the Minister of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment for Sudurpashchim Province, inspected the bridge site and stressed the importance of swift reconstruction to prevent the area from losing a key tourist destination. He noted that the damage occurred while his ministry was working on a budget for the bridge’s beautification.
Former Member of Parliament Ramesh Lekhak also called for the rapid reconstruction of the bridge, recognizing its historical significance. Ram Bahadur Bohara, Ward Chairman of Bhimdatta Municipality-13, expressed concern that the state had neglected the maintenance of the 22-year-old bridge. Madan Koirala, the Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur, has urged the public to avoid the damaged site due to safety risks.
The Sudurpashchim Province Directorate of Transport Infrastructure is preparing to dispatch a technical team to study the exact cause and extent of the damage. Jagat Prasad Joshi, the director of the directorate, stated that efforts would be made to repair the bridge before the next monsoon season. He added that if the repair falls within the provincial government’s jurisdiction, the process will proceed at the provincial level; otherwise, coordination with the federal government will be sought. However, the specific source of funding and a concrete timeline for reconstruction remain to be announced.
