I often visit Bardia on the east-west highway and have watched the bridge over the Surai Khola (about 10 km east of Bhalubang) grow more and more frighteningly dangerous. It appears to have been damaged by a bomb at some time and is supported now by only one crumbling concrete beam, which appears to be deteriorating more each time I cross it. If this bridge fails, there could be not only terrible loss of life but, as it covers a deep ravine, it could result in a blockage of all traffic to the far west. When I went over the bridge recently, only half of the surface could still be driven on and less than half of the remaining support beam was left, so time is running out. On behalf of all the people who travel on this busy route, I would like to request the Roads Department to take some action fast.

Marco Peter,
Asha Clinic, Pokhara