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Nepal's dangerous cable crossings persist despite years of government promises

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Citizens in Nepal's remote regions continue to risk their lives crossing rivers on cable crossings, known as 'tuins', despite repeated government promises to replace them.
  • The government lacks accurate records of existing tuins, with federal claims of only two remaining contrasting with the reality of numerous locally built crossings.
  • Past promises to make Nepal 'tuin-free' have gone unfulfilled, highlighting a disconnect between government aspirations and the daily hardships faced by citizens.

Governments in Nepal change, and promises to improve the lives of citizens in remote regions are often repeated. However, for those living along the Mahakali and Karnali rivers, the danger of crossing on cable crossings, or 'tuins', remains a daily reality.

Although the commitment to replace cable crossings (tuin) has been reiterated for years, people living along the Mahakali and Karnali rivers are still forced to risk their lives to cross them.

Introduction highlighting the ongoing danger despite government promises.

Last year, a 28-year-old man died after falling from a tuin in Darchula, a stark reminder of the risks. Despite these recurring tragedies, the government has consistently committed to eliminating these makeshift crossings nationwide. President Ramchandra Paudel recently reiterated this pledge, yet the government admits it doesn't have an accurate count of how many tuins exist.

While presenting the government’s policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2082/8, President Ramchandra Paudel once again announced that all tuins across the country would be replaced.

Mentioning the latest government commitment to replace the cable crossings.

The federal government states only two officially recognized tuins remain, but this figure excludes the numerous crossings built by local communities due to the absence of bridges. These locally constructed tuins are neither tracked nor part of any comprehensive replacement plan. This situation reflects a broader pattern in Nepal's remote areas, where development often feels perpetually delayed, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of necessity and danger.

The federal government claims that out of 143 officially recognised tuins, only two remain: one over the Mahakali river and another over the Karnali river.

Contrasting official claims with the reality of local crossings.

Past promises, like former Prime Minister KP Oli's 2014 declaration to make Nepal 'tuin-free' within two years, have largely gone unfulfilled, becoming mere political slogans. A decade later, residents in provinces like Karnali and Sudurpashchim still rely on these dangerous crossings. The stark contrast between the government's vision of a 'Prosperous Nepal' and the daily reality of citizens risking their lives underscores the nation's priorities and its commitment to public safety.

A decade ago, then-Prime Minister KP Oli announced that Nepal would become ‘tuin-free’ within two years.

Recalling a previous unfulfilled promise by a former Prime Minister.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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