Truck Driver Killed After Vehicle Plunges Off Bridge on Kanti Lokpath in Makwanpur

A fatal truck accident on the Kanti Lokpath in Makwanpur has once again put a spotlight on the dangers faced by drivers navigating Nepal's rugged highway corridors. Dal Bahadur Bartaula, 30, died after the truck he was driving plunged off a bridge over Baguwa Khola on Saturday night.

According to police, the vehicle was carrying construction materials from Hetauda to the Bagmati Hydropower Project in Lalitpur when the crash occurred. Madhav Kafle, spokesperson for the District Police Office Makwanpur, said the truck was later recovered from the river with mechanical assistance.

What happened on the bridge

Authorities say the truck fell from the bridge into the river below, causing a deadly single-vehicle crash. The exact cause of the accident has not been detailed publicly, and police have not yet released further findings about whether road conditions, driver error, or mechanical failure played a role.

Why this route matters

The Kanti Lokpath is an important connection for transport between central Nepal and the Kathmandu Valley, especially for cargo moving to major infrastructure projects. Trucks carrying heavy construction materials regularly use the route, which also means any accident can disrupt both logistics and safety efforts across the region.

Recovery efforts and response

Police said the truck was pulled out of the river using mechanical equipment, underscoring the difficulty of recovery operations on steep and remote road sections. The incident adds to growing concern about commercial transport safety on mountain roads, where narrow lanes, bridge approaches, and unpredictable terrain can raise the risk of deadly crashes.

A broader safety concern

This crash is a stark reminder of how vulnerable drivers are on key freight routes in Nepal. For workers moving materials to hydropower and construction sites, the road itself can become one of the biggest hazards of the job.