Longest, tallest bridge of Syangja opened

By Arjun Kafle  Syangja, July 10: The longest and tallest suspension bridge in Syangja district has been built over Andhikhola River to connect Pelakot and Chiuri of Galyang Municipality. 

The 368-metre long single-span suspension bridge connects Ward No. 7 with Ward No. 8 of Galyang Municipality, drastically reducing the travel time from one village to another to reach the Siddhartha Highway. 

The construction of the bridge, which was started by SA Shailendra JV of Nuwakot in June 2020, was supposed to be completed in April 2021. However, it was completed a year later due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

Chief of the Infrastructure Development Office, Santosh Aryal, said that the construction company had extended the deadline to July 5, 2022. It has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 18.3 million. 

Locals said they had to walk for four hours to reach the Siddhartha Highway and return home and that the newly constructed bridge has significantly reduced that time.

Aryal said, “The bridge will not just cut down the travel time of the locals, but is also expected to attract both domestic and foreign tourists, as it is the longest and tallest bridge of the district.”

Following its inauguration, the bridge has been introduced as tourist destination. Crowds of people have started thronging the site to take pictures as well as to make Tiktok videos.  

In addition, it has also made it easier for devotees to reach the Kedarnath temple located at Pelakot, which has been overshadowed due to inconvenience of transportation.

It has also made it easier for the locals to bring their local productions to the market.