New bailey bridge shortens road distance by 36 kms

Fikkal (Ilam), Aug 2: A bailey bridge has been constructed over the Puwa Khola falling in the Kechana-Kanchanjunga (Mechi Corridor) road connecting Ilam headquarters to Birtamod in Jhapa.     

After the construction of the first bailey bridge over Puwa Khola connecting Ilam Municipality-9 and 11, a shorter and safer route option has been opened for travelers on the Jhapa-Ilam-Panchthar-Taplejung route.     

The 48.6-meter-long bailey bridge was completed at a cost of Rs 13.5 million from the federal government. said Engineer Arjun Ghimire, Information Officer of the Road Division, Ilam.     

With the bailey bridge over the Puwa River in operation it is now possible to reach Birtamod in Jhapa covering 47 kilometers by using the Kechana-Kanchanjunga road directly from the Golakharka section of the Mechi Highway. Earlier, Birtamod could be reached only after travelling a distance of 83 kilometers using the Mechi Highway.     

Under the road, which is considered an alternative to the Mechi Highway, 15 kilometers of the road has been blacktopped in the Mai Municipality area of the Ilam section. Out of the remaining 17 kilometers, 14 kilometers are under-construction, said Road Division Chief Engineer Pawan Bhattarai.(RSS)