Suspension bridge comes as a big relief for students

BY ANIL PARAJULI,Hetauda, Mar. 27: Construction of a suspension bridge over the Simat River in Dhetredamar of Bakaiya Rural Municipality-12 in Makwanpur district has made commuting to school significantly easier. Parents, teachers and students of Kala Bhairav Primary School are relieved as they no longer have to take risky routes across the river during the monsoon season.  

The bridge was built with the technical support of Bakaiya Rural Municipality, financial assistance from Child Rescue Nepal and in partnership with the Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation.

Bakaiya Rural Municipality Chairman Dharma Raj Lamichhane, Vice-Chairman Bhakta Bahadur Khatri, Chief Administrative Officer Mahesh Shrestha, Child Rescue Nepal’s Executive Director Joe Vega, Ward Chairman of Ward No. 12 Gyanendra Bajgain and Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation’s Vice President Uma Timalsina jointly inaugurated the bridge during a special ceremony on Tuesday.  The 90-metre-long Louis Vans Memorial Suspension Bridge was built at a cost of Rs. 4 million. 

On the occasion, Chairman Lamichhane expressed gratitude to the Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation for constructing the school building, toilets and now the bridge. He also praised the foundation's investment in the education sector.  

Previously, during the monsoon, when the Simat River flooded, members of the school management committee, office assistants and the headmaster had to help students cross the river to attend school and later escort them back home. This challenge has now been resolved with the construction of the suspension bridge.  

Locals expressed their happiness stating that they can now safely send their children to school even during the rainy season. The foundation that built the bridge had also reconstructed the school building, which was damaged by the 2015 earthquake. With the construction of a concrete school building and a safe bridge over the Simat River, both students and parents are delighted. 

According to the school’s Headmaster, Chet Bahadur Ghale, Kala Bhairav Primary School currently has 20 students enrolled in classes up to grade three. Students from areas such as Godam Danda, Ajingare, Dhetre and Dipsbata attend the school. 

Since the region is predominantly inhabited by the Tamang community and is geographically remote, some students have to walk for an hour to reach the school. Established in 1996, the school previously faced significant challenges during the monsoon, which have now been resolved with the construction of the bridge.