Maitri Bridge on Indo-Nepal border in diplapidated condition, needs urgent repair

Satish Aditya
Raxaul ( East Champaran) :  Maitri Bridge over river Sarisawa  that connects Raxaul town in East Champaran District of Bihar and Birgunj city of Nepal on Indo-Nepal border  is in dilapidated condition. The bridge had hit the headlines when it was blocked for three months by Tarai people of Nepal during Madhes movement to press their demands in 2015-2016. Both the NHAI and Road Construction Department(RCD), Bihar Government, appear reluctant to repair or maintain this bridge as this was made from  Border Development Fund of the central government.

This 25 years old concrete road bridge and its approach road are in extremely bad condition full of  big pot holes filled with rain water during monsoon. It has become unsafe for vehicles. Around 2,000 to 5,000 cargo laden trucks, bus, cars, tourists cars and other vehicles cross this bride daily. Trucks and tractor trailers struggle to move on this bridge.. One person was recently killed in an accident on this bridge, according to Raxaul police sources.

A wooden bridge made in 1935 during British rule facilitated movement of vehicles. But, this old bridge was replaced  in 1994 with new concrete bridge by the central government of India under Border development scheme. This road bridge connects Delhi to Kathmandu and Raxaul Customs Check-post of Bihar called gateway of Nepal and handles 70% of the total trade and traffic between the two countries. But now walking or driving from Raxaul to Birgunj (2 km) through this Maîtri bridge is a horrible experience, said Sakura, a Japanese woman tourist at Raxaul.

Different political leaders including Paschimi Champaran MP Sanjay Jaiswal, Ajay Singh, MLA from Raxaul, have written to
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and PM Narendra Modi seeking immediate repair and upgradation  of this important bridge. DM, East Champaran,  in repeated communication to NHAI authorities, has urged them to maintain this bridge butto no avail so far. In
January last members of Sima Jagaran Manch, a voluntary organisation, had staged dharna on this bridge to press its demand for its repair. Finally, the members of  the Manch repaired the bridge after collecting contribution from passersby.                         According to GM, NHAI, Piprakothi –Raxaul NH28A (60 km) was taken over by NHAI in 2010 but its tail end part of 4.2 km from Laxmipur to Raxaul Maitri bridge was not taken over by NHAI. The NHAI road turned to Integrated Check-post
in West of Raxaul.

This rest 4.2 km road connecting Raxaul town was taken over by State RCD and the road was repaired in 2018 but Maitri bridge was not included in this scheme. A delegation of Sima Jagran Manch led by Mahesh Agrawal met Bihar RCD Minister Nand Kishore Yadav at Raxaul with Sanjay Jaiswal, MP,  in April last seeking maintenance of Maitri bridge. The Bihar RCD Minister replied that this bridge was constructed under Border development scheme of central government so he has written to the central government for NOC.

The members of  Raxaul Chamber of Commerce and Birgunj (Nepal)  Chamber of Commerce has jointly sent a memorandum to PM Modi  demanding quick solution of the problem.

Yadav sent an RCD team for spot inspection of Maitri Bridge at Raxaul  on July 12, 2019. Rajkishor Prasad, Executive Engineer, RCD, East Champaran,  said that an estimate  and proposal for repairing of approach road and Maitri Bridge has been sent to Principal Secretary, RCD,  for his approval.