An Arughat Bailey bridge is taking shape in Gorkha, with foundation construction now underway for the installation of the steel structure. Minister Sunil Lamsal announced on October 13, 2026, that the Bailey bridge and its installation equipment have already been delivered to Arughat.
The new bridge will be larger than the old one it replaces, so crews are carrying out concreting work to adjust the foundation to the bigger structure. The foundation work is the critical step before the Bailey bridge sections can be launched into place.
A Bailey bridge foundation must carry the full weight of the steel truss plus the heavy vehicles crossing it. On a river like the Budhigandaki’s tributary at Arughat, the foundation also has to resist scouring and flood forces. That is why the concreting work cannot be rushed: the concrete must be placed, cured and tested before the bridge sections are launched.
Arughat Bailey bridge foundation: bigger structure, new foundation
Bailey bridges are prefabricated steel truss bridges designed for rapid assembly, commonly used to restore crossings after floods wash away permanent structures. Because the Arughat Bailey bridge is bigger than the previous bridge, the existing foundation cannot simply be reused. Workers are pouring concrete to reshape the foundation to fit the new bridge’s dimensions.
With the bridge components and installation equipment already at the site, the project has moved past the mobilization phase. Once the foundation concrete cures and reaches strength, the assembly and launching of the Bailey bridge can begin.
The speed of a Bailey bridge installation depends heavily on foundation readiness. By starting the concreting early and in parallel with equipment delivery, the project team has compressed the usual sequence, keeping the pre-Dashain target within reach.
Benighat-Arughat to Machhikhola road reopened
The minister also reported progress on the surrounding road network. The Benighat-Arughat to Machhikhola road, which had been blocked after floods in a tributary of the Budhigandaki River damaged it, has been brought back into operation.
Work continues on opening the damaged road sections above Khorlabesi. Crews are clearing the remaining obstructions to restore full connectivity along the corridor.
The Budhigandaki corridor has seen repeated flood damage in recent monsoon seasons, and each event has tested the road network linking Gorkha’s northern settlements with the rest of the district.
Nepal has used Bailey bridges for decades as a rapid response to washed out crossings, from monsoon floods to the 2015 earthquake. Their modular design lets engineers span gaps of tens of meters within weeks, making them the standard choice when a community cannot wait for a permanent concrete bridge.
Target: Arughat bridge open before Dashain
Work is being pushed ahead with the aim of bringing the Arughat Bailey bridge into operation before Dashain, the country’s biggest festival. A working bridge before the festival would restore a key crossing for residents and travelers at a time of heavy movement.
For communities around Arughat, the bridge is a daily lifeline. Crossing the river without a bridge means long detours or risky temporary arrangements, so the progress on the foundation is welcome news for everyone who depends on the route.
The pre-Dashain target reflects how important the timing is. Dashain sees one of the year’s biggest waves of travel, as people return to their home villages. A functioning Arughat Bailey bridge means residents, traders and returning families can cross safely during the festival period.
In his post, the minister said work is being advanced with the goal of bringing the Arughat bridge into operation before Dashain.
Source: Minister Sunil Lamsal’s Facebook post, October 13, 2026.
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