Where Did Every Rupee Go? Darchula Bridge Campaign Opens Its Books

The Darchula Dumling Suspension Bridge Construction Campaign, led by Shram Sanskriti Party Chairman Harka Sampang, publicly released its income and expenditure report during a press conference held in Dharan on Sunday. The financial statement was made public to ensure transparency, inform donors about how their contributions have been used, and reinforce public trust in the community-funded bridge project.

More Than NPR 25 Million Raised

According to the campaign's financial report, the initiative has collected a total of NPR 25,037,101.01 through public donations. Of this amount, NPR 20,071,506.01 was received through bank QR payments, while NPR 4,965,595 was collected in cash.

Organisers said the large public response demonstrates strong community support for infrastructure projects built through voluntary participation rather than relying solely on government funding.

How The Money Has Been Spent

The campaign reported spending NPR 12,929,174 so far on the bridge project.

Among the major expenses:

• NPR 5,513,523 was spent on bridge construction materials, surveys, machinery purchases and office documentation.

• NPR 4,527,934 of that amount was used specifically to purchase construction materials.

• Administrative and operational expenses totalled NPR 7,415,651, covering transportation, food, camp management, freight and other logistical costs.

Organisers said these expenditures were necessary to keep construction progressing smoothly in a remote area.

More Than NPR 12 Million Still Available

Despite the ongoing construction work, the campaign continues to maintain a significant balance.

The published statement shows:

• Bank balance: NPR 10,445,452.01

• Cash in hand: NPR 1,615,941

• Total remaining funds: NPR 12,061,393.01

Campaign officials said the remaining funds will be used for the next phases of construction until the bridge is completed.

Transparency At The Centre Of The Campaign

During the press conference, organisers said the campaign has been guided by public participation, voluntary contributions and financial transparency from the beginning. They stressed that publishing detailed income and expenditure records is part of their commitment to maintaining public confidence and ensuring every donation is accounted for.

The committee also thanked supporters from Nepal and abroad whose financial contributions have helped move the project forward.

Background: A Community-Led Infrastructure Project

The Dumling Suspension Bridge campaign has become one of Nepal's most widely discussed community-funded infrastructure initiatives. Rather than depending entirely on government financing, the campaign has relied on donations from ordinary citizens, supporters and well-wishers inside and outside Nepal.

Supporters believe the initiative shows how collective public participation can help deliver essential infrastructure, while organisers say similar community-driven development efforts may continue in the future.

With more than NPR 12 million still available, construction on the Dumling Suspension Bridge is expected to continue in the coming months. Campaign leaders say they will keep publishing financial updates as work progresses and remain committed to maintaining transparency throughout the project.