Ongoing Efforts to Protect the Girubari Bridge
Authorities in Nawalparasi East have taken significant steps to ensure the safety of the Girubari Bridge at Chormara, which is located along the East-West Highway. The bridge, known for its deteriorating condition, has been a major concern following damage caused by overloaded trucks earlier this year. To prevent further structural issues, security personnel have been deployed around the clock to monitor and protect the area until a new bridge—currently under construction as part of the Butwal-Narayanghat road expansion project—is completed.
The Girubari Bridge suffered a partial collapse on May 13 due to overloading, which disrupted one of the country’s busiest highways. Although the Department of Roads (DoR) repaired the bridge and reopened it for traffic on June 7, engineers have emphasized that the structure remains too fragile to handle heavy vehicles. Temporary supports have been put in place to stabilize the bridge, allowing only light and medium vehicles to cross safely.
Strict Monitoring and Enforcement Measures
To safeguard the weakened structure, police and road division officials have been stationed on both sides of the bridge to monitor vehicle weights. Inspector Mohan Khadka of the Nawalparasi East District Police Office explained that cargo trucks are screened 24 hours a day. If a vehicle exceeds the permitted load, it must unload the excess before crossing the bridge. “Both the Girubari Bridge at Choramara and the Arun Khola Bridge are under constant watch because they cannot withstand the stress of heavy vehicles,” said Khadka.
According to the local road division office, only vehicles weighing up to 40 tonnes are currently allowed to cross at a time. Notices have been placed at both ends of the bridge warning drivers against overloading. “Security forces are on duty day and night to ensure compliance,” added Khadka.
Historical Context and Structural Challenges
This is not the first instance of a bridge collapse along the busy Butwal-Narayanghat stretch of the East-West Highway, which connects mid-western and far-western parts of the country. In January 2025, the Binayi Khola Bridge at Dumkibas collapsed under similar circumstances, forcing months-long diversions. The bridge remains under repair, while vehicles are currently using an adjacent new structure built under the expansion project.
Experts point out that many of the bridges along the 114-kilometre long Butwal-Narayanghat section were built more than 50 years ago and were never designed for today’s heavy traffic. Engineer Shiva Khanal highlighted that these truss bridges were constructed when vehicles were lighter and traffic volume was lower. “Now, we see nearly 10,000 vehicles a day, including container trucks carrying loads four times heavier than the bridges were designed to handle,” he said.
Challenges from Overloaded Trucks
The issue is further complicated by overloaded Indian cargo trucks entering Nepal, often exceeding permissible weight limits. Enforcement has remained weak, with violators typically facing only minor fines. An engineer at the Department of Roads, who requested anonymity, noted that custom-sealed containers cannot be opened for unloading by traffic police, and Nepal’s weighing stations can measure only up to 100 tonnes. “As a result, overloaded trucks continue to damage old bridges and newly built roads alike,” he said.
Upgrading the East-West Highway
The Butwal-Narayanghat expansion project, supported by the Asian Development Bank, aims to replace outdated two-lane bridges with modern four-lane ones. However, construction delays and monsoon disruptions have slowed progress. Until the new Girubari Bridge is completed, the government plans to maintain the 24-hour security presence and strict weight monitoring regime.
“Repairing old bridges while building new ones is a huge logistical challenge,” said Khanal. “But ensuring that no more collapses occur is now our top priority. The safety of thousands of commuters depends on it.”