Bridge construction in Solukhumbu reaches final stage

By Our Correspondent,Solukhumbu, Apr. 7: The construction of two motorable bridges in Mapya Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu has reached its final stage. 

According to the rural municipality, the Hungra Rakhola Motorable Bridge and the Tribeni Motorable Bridge, which will connect Solukhumbu’s headquarters, Salleri, to the Sagarmatha region, are both 80 per cent complete.

Gajendra Bhattarai, chief administrative officer, said that the construction of both bridges is being carried out under a tripartite cost-sharing agreement between the federal government, the provincial government and the rural municipality. He said that the contract for the bridges was awarded to Ridak Nepal Pvt. Ltd. for a total of Rs. 90 million. The Hungra Rakhola Motorable Bridge is funded by a federal grant and the municipality’s own funds, while the Tribeni Motorable Bridge is financed through a municipal grant and the province’s matching grant. Pawan Kumar Shahi, an engineer from Ridak Nepal Pvt. Ltd. said that the contract was signed in January, 2024 with a deadline for completion by the end of the fiscal year 2024/25.

Chairman Buddhi Kiran Rai informed that once the Hungra and Tribeni motorable bridges are completed, both domestic and international tourists will be able to access the Sagarmatha region directly via road from Salleri, the district headquarters. He also said that the bridges would alleviate transportation challenges caused by swollen rivers during the monsoon and improve the regular movement of vehicles.