Dhanusha installs first skywalks in Madhesh province
Dhanusha has completed its first two pedestrian skywalks in Mahendranagar Bazaar, with a third bridge in Laxminia expected to open by late Mangsir.
Two pedestrian skywalks have been completed in the Mahendranagar Bazaar area of Dhanusha, marking the first infrastructure of this kind in Madhesh Province. According to the Road Division Office in Mujeliya, Janakpur, the bridges are part of an effort to improve safety along the six-lane commercial road connecting Janakpurdham and Dhalkebar.
Officials stated that the structures are currently undergoing final aesthetic touches, including painting, and are expected to open for public use shortly. The Road Division Office noted that the project aims to facilitate safer crossings for pedestrians in areas with high traffic density.
Project scope and specifications
The initiative involves the construction of three skywalks in total, with an estimated budget of Rs 105 million, according to the Road Division Office. The two completed bridges are located at Mahila Bikas Chowk and Sakhuwa Chowk, while a third bridge is currently under construction in Laxminia Rural Municipality. Divisional Engineer Darogaprasad Sah confirmed that work on the Laxminia bridge is progressing rapidly, with a target completion date set for the end of Mangsir.
The project costs are divided as follows: Rs 33.5 million for the Mahila Bikas Chowk bridge, Rs 35.7 million for the Sakhuwa Chowk bridge, and Rs 34.2 million for the Laxminia bridge, all inclusive of value-added tax (VAT). Two separate construction firms were contracted for the work.
Site Engineer Ujjwal Jha provided technical specifications for the structures, noting that each bridge stands 5.6 meters high, with a length of 29.4 meters and a width of 3 meters. These dimensions are designed to accommodate the high volume of foot traffic in the area, which serves as a primary entry point into Janakpurdham via the East-West Highway.
Enhancing pedestrian safety
Local authorities and residents have welcomed the development. Police Inspector Suryabahadur Shahi, head of the District Traffic Police Office in Dhanusha, stated that the bridges will significantly reduce the risk of road accidents, as hundreds of pedestrians navigate the busy corridor daily.
Shambhuprasad Yadav, principal of the Shreewarshwanath Multiple Campus, highlighted the necessity of the project, noting that the presence of local markets, educational institutions, and residential settlements previously made crossing the road hazardous. He expressed optimism that the new infrastructure would provide a safer environment for students, children, and the elderly. The project details were reported by Onlinekhabar, Gorkhapatra, and Ratopati.