Locals of Adanchuli Rural Municipality in Humla district have been crossing the mighty Karnali River by means of a tuin, a traditional wire bridge, for the past five years.
“We are still using the tuin to cross the river even if it is unsafe because we have no other option,” said Junraj Mahatara, a local from Ward No. 1 of Adanchuli.
The tuin is being used in Domukha, an area along the Karnali River separating Humla and Mugu districts. The tuin was constructed after the locals’ request for a suspension bridge there continued falling on deaf ears.
“The tuin has allowed us to cross the river. It is also used widely to transport the commercial goods,” said Mahatara.
The locals informed that they had to struggle to cross the river by the tuin during monsoon as it touches the water when the river swells after rainfall.
“The tuin touches the river water during monsoon as the water level rises. It is dangerous but we have no option,” said Mahatara.
Locals said that there have been accidents while using the tuin as well.
“Three months ago, all of my goods fell into the river from the tuin,” said Par Bahadur Budha, another local.
Budha stressed that the locals had reached the local level officials alongside other concerned authorities in the district and province level and demanded for a bridge. “Around 30-40 individuals use the tuin on a daily basis to cross the river. Our local level says that it doesn’t have budget to construct a bridge in the area. They don’t have budget and we don’t have a choice,” Budha said.
Locals informed that people still cross the Karnali River by the tuin in more than half a dozen places in Karnali.
Source : TRN,
