Suspension bridges in the hilly areas of the district are usually completed within two to three years. However, the suspension bridge over the Budhigandaki River between Samagaun and Samdo on the Manaslu trekking route has remained incomplete for the past 10 years, with only a temporary jeep crossing in place.

Former ward chairperson Bir Bahadur Lama said the project agreement was signed in the fiscal year 2015/16, but no significant progress has been made beyond the jeep arrangement. Without the bridge, foreign tourists visiting the Manaslu region via Larke, local residents commuting between Samagaun and Samdo, and travelers heading to Ruila on the Tibetan border are compelled to cross the Budhigandaki under unsafe conditions.

Lama criticized the repeated delays, stating that deadlines have been extended year after year without visible progress. He called for the immediate construction of the bridge, or alternatively, the removal of the jeep crossing and restoration of the land. He also noted that despite the prolonged delay, the suffering of residents in these remote areas has been largely overlooked. Meanwhile, foreign organizations such as Kaduri have managed to build multiple suspension bridges in the region during the same period.

According to the Suspension Bridge Division Office, the Government of Nepal had contracted Hari Hari Sharmila JV Company to build the 220-meter-long, three-meter-wide bridge within 18 months. Sub-engineer Jayaprakash Giri said the delay was caused by negligence on the part of the construction company.

Current ward chairperson Karma Chhewang Lama said the community has repeatedly appealed to the bridge division but has yet to see results. “We have approached the department several times, but they keep avoiding responsibility. We are still hopeful the bridge will finally be built,” he said.