What Is the Truth Behind Harka Sampang’s Initiative to Build a Bridge over the Mahakali River?

Kathmandu, March 24 – Following the announcement by Harka Sampang, chairman of the Labour Culture Party and Member of the House of Representatives, to collect donations for replacing a suspension bridge in Darchula, many expressed concerns about constructing a unilateral bridge on the international border. Ganesh Thagunna, also a Member of Parliament elected from Darchula, criticized Sampang’s move as “stuntmanship and mere rhetoric.” Former Nepal government secretary Bhim Upadhyay emphasized that building a bridge on an international river requires careful consideration of diplomacy, border security, and geography. Upadhyay wrote on Facebook, “I see some rushing into impossible tasks and others emotionally following them blindly.”

On Tuesday, Sampang laid the foundation stone for a suspension bridge in Darchula. Anil Paudel, Chief District Officer of Darchula, clarified, “The honorable MP inaugurated the bridge in Dumlingkatha, Ward No. 2 of Byas Rural Municipality, which is not on the Nepal-India boundary river.” Mangalsingh Dhami, chairperson of Byas Rural Municipality, informed that the bridge will be constructed over the Ghatte Khola, not the Mahakali River. Ashok Byasi, ward chairperson of Byas-1, added, “It is wrong for those unfamiliar with the local geography to spread rumors suggesting the bridge will be built on the Mahakali River.”

Ganesh Thagunna acknowledged that a suspension bridge is indeed needed in the area but said Sampang’s efforts involved unnecessary publicity. “His initiative is positive; however, claiming he will build a bridge over the Mahakali River and replace the rope bridge is just a stunt,” Thagunna stated. Aren Rai, general secretary of the Labour Culture Party, mentioned that the plan is to build the suspension bridge by voluntarily soliciting cooperation from the local people to ease their access. Sampang himself affirmed he has no political agenda behind the project, posting on Facebook, “I have no political motives in constructing the bridge in Darchula.”

Krisnananda Badu, acting Chief Administrative Officer of Byas Rural Municipality, estimated the cost of the approximately 120-meter-long bridge at around NPR 10 million. According to Badu, Sampang has already obtained the necessary permissions from the municipality to proceed with the construction.