Parasi, Nov. 7 -- Authorities in Nawalparasi East have deployed security personnel round-the-clock to guard the dilapidated Girubari Bridge at Chormara along the East-West Highway after it suffered damage earlier this year under the weight of overloaded trucks. Officials say the measure is a must to prevent further deterioration until a new bridge-currently under construction as part of the Butwal-Narayanghat road expansion project-is completed.

The Girubari Bridge partially collapsed on May 13 due to overloading, disrupting one of the busiest highways in the country. The Department of Roads (DoR) repaired it and reopened it for traffic on June 7. However, engineers say the bridge remains too fragile to bear the load of heavy vehicles. ...