Bailey bridge over Hewa River comes into operation

By Our Correspondent,Phidim, July 18: The Bailey bridge constructed over the Hewa River on the Phidim-Taplejung section of the Mechi Highway has come into operation.

The old motorable bridge, which connected Taplejung with the Phalelung, Hilihang and Yangwarak rural municipalities of Panchthar, was swept away when the river flooded on June 17.

 "We began constructing the Bailey bridge to replace it on June 21," Bidur Pokharel, head of the Division Road Office (DRO) of Ilam, said. "It came into operation from Sunday – 29 days after the flood destroyed the old bridge."

The DRO had initially pledged the federal government to complete the construction of the bridge within a week. 

But it took nearly a month. The 48 metres long was fixed at a cost of Rs. 20 million.

Currently, only light vehicles are allowed on the bridge.

The bridge was inaugurated by Koshi Province's Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kamal Prasad Jabegu.