15 bridges built in Panchthar, Tapljung in eight months

Narayan Tumbapo,Phidim, June 2: The construction of fifteen new suspension bridges, which had begun in difficult areas of Panchthar and Taplejung districts since October last year, has been completed. 

The bridges were constructed by the Infrastructure Development Office, Panchthar with the assistance of the Koshi Provincial government and the local consumers’ committees

Construction of the bridges completed in eight months of the current fiscal year. Rajanraj Reddy, head of Panchthar Infrastructure Development Office, said that the completed bridges had already come into operation. 

He added that 10 of the bridges were built in Panchthar and five in Taplejung. 

The new bridges have been built over the Bhayang River in Phidim Municipality of Panchthar, Chunedobhan and over the Shiva River in Yangwarak Rural Municipality. 

Similarly, bridges have been built at Gupteshwar-Panama-Kharbari, Sirise Silli Pakha-Kholaghari, Gowatar Chyane and Bajrathe Tharitar in Phalelung Rural Municipality. 

They have been constructed in the areas of Navakhola-Thamthum Dobhan, Kurungkhola-Jamunbote-Avirjung and below Lapsibote-Narkate in Miklajung Rural Municipality. 

In Taplejung, bridges have been built over the Ode Thwang and Nikash rivers of Phungling Municipality.

Likewise, a bridge has been built at Ogen-Saijim of Meringden Rural Municipality of this district and two over the Hellok and Mendewa rivers of Phatkalung Rural Municipality. Thousands of villagers of Panchthar and Taplejung districts have directly benefitted from the newly built bridges. 

Uttarman Limbu, chairman of Hallok river supension Bridge Construction Committee of Taplejung, said that they were relieved after the new bridge was built.  He also mentioned that the terrible past of six people including his daughter being swept away by the Hellok river, in addition to experiencing extreme problems in traffic due to the lack of a bridge. 

He said, “We are very happy that we will not have to face such a problem with the construction of the bridge." Children who couldn't cross the river were deprived of going to school. Tirth Bahadur Makhim, Chairman of the newly constructed Kurung river – Jamunbote-Avirjung suspension bridge construction committee in Panchthar Miklajung Rural Municipality, said that children being unable to attend school is the biggest issue in their community. 

According to the Infrastructure Development Office Panchthar, it cost around 8.5 million rupees to build fifteen bridges.