Bridge remains unused due to India’s obstruction

Ratnanagar : A bridge over the Thutekhola stream at local Thori remains unused due to the obstruction and intimidation by India. India has not allowed filling with earth two irrigation canals on the road towards the east of the bridge. So, the bridge is not connected to the road.
It has been a year since the 102 metres long bridge was constructed connecting the Ward 2 and 3 of Thori rural municipality but the locals have not been able to use it. They are compelled to use the road from the stream.
Rabin Timilsina, a local, said there are frequent clashes between the Nepali and Indian local citizens regarding the use of the irrigation canal and the use of the bridge. According to him, the Indian citizens come from across the border to dismantle the dam constructed for irrigation purpose by the Nepalis across the Thutekhola river.
There are three dams on the river. The upper dam is constructed by the locals of Nepal while the two dams upstream are constructed by the Indian side for irrigation purpose. The bridge is constructed on a section of the Thori-Kerung Hulaki Road which goes up the Birgunj via Subarnapur of Thori rural municipality. Around 100 vehicles ply on this road daily from the Thori customs.
There is a border pillar marking the Nepal-India border nearly 30 metres towards India. However, India has constructed the two dams well inside some distance from the bridge in the Nepali territory and has been using the water from the dams for irrigation for many years. India has been irrigating land at Bhikhanathori, Dummarwana, Jamuniya and beyond in Bhawanipur using the water from the two dams it has constructed inside the Nepali territory.RSS