Tired of waiting, locals take matters into their own hands

In a powerful display of community spirit and self-reliance, the residents of Tallo Bhirgaun and Malbase villages in Dhankuta have constructed a much-needed concrete culvert over the Nibuwa stream. This remarkable feat, completed in just 22 days through collective labor, replaces a precarious wooden footbridge that had long isolated these settlements during the monsoon season. The new structure ensures safe passage for trade and access to the district headquarters, ending a quarter-century wait for government assistance.

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We waited 25 years for the government to look our way, but the bridge never appeared on any official plan. The risk was real. Seven years ago, a 60-year-old woman from Bhangtar was swept away while returning from the district headquarters. We decided we could not lose anyone else to the Nibuwa stream.

The initiative, spearheaded by local leaders Dron Prasad Guragain and Dambar Rana, with technical support from municipal sub-engineer Bishnu Poddar, mobilized the entire community. From the elderly crushing stones to the youth hauling materials, every member contributed. Those unable to perform physical labor provided financial support for meals and snacks for the volunteers. This collaborative effort underscores a deep-seated frustration with the slow pace of government development projects and a determination to overcome obstacles through local action.

Dambar Rana, chairman of the Madhuganga Tole Committee, voiced the community's long-standing neglect: "We waited 25 years for the government to look our way, but the bridge never appeared on any official plan." The urgency was underscored by a tragic incident seven years prior, when a woman was swept away by the stream. This loss galvanized the community to act, preventing further tragedies.

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I wanted to help soothe the hardships of my fellow villagers. My only satisfaction is seeing the villagers walk without fear.

This is not the first time these villages have demonstrated such initiative. In 2001, a similar voluntary labor campaign opened a crucial road track. This time, the financial burden for construction materials, including hume pipes, cement, and iron rods, was shouldered by local philanthropist Drona Prasad Guragain. His generosity, coupled with the community's labor, transformed an estimated Rs2.1 million government project into a community-driven success, completed at a fraction of the cost. The story of Dhankuta's villagers is a testament to the power of collective action and a stark reminder to authorities of the needs on the ground.

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the project was estimated to cost Rs2.1 million if executed through traditional government tenders. Instead, it was completed through the sweat of over 600 volunteers who worked in shifts.