Ludi Khola bridge expected to boost connectivity in Gorkha

By Gun Bahadur Roka,Sulikot (Gorkha), Nov. 23:  A motorable bridge will be built over the Ludi Khola in Gorkha district to link Gorkha Municipality–12 and Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality–1. 

Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Surendra Raj Pandey laid the foundation stone for the project on Friday. The bridge is expected to make a significant contribution to the infrastructure of the two local levels, and transport services for local residents are expected to become more convenient.

CM Pandey said that the provincial government was prioritising infrastructure development across the province. He expressed confidence that once the Ludi Khola motorable bridge is completed, it will bring substantial improvements to the daily lives of locals.

According to him, upon completion of the bridge, residents of Sahid Lakhan will have easier access to schools, health institutions, and markets. Farmers will also be able to transport their agricultural produce to the market more quickly and at a lower cost.

The construction of this motorable bridge is expected to bring important improvements to the transport system of Gorkha Municipality and Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality.

Once completed, all types of vehicles will be able to use the Ludi Khola Bridge. It is believed that the bridge will also have a positive impact on the local economy.

A contract worth Rs. 75.93 million for the construction of the bridge was signed in July this year between the Infrastructure Development Office, Gorkha and Ganeshkunda Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., with completion scheduled for July 2027. 

Because of the poor road conditions along the Syauli Bazaar–Bhattphanṭ–Manakamana route, travel between the Gorkha headquarters and Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality had been difficult and time-consuming. 

The foundation-stone-laying ceremony for the Ludi Khola motorable bridge saw the enthusiastic presence of provincial representatives, Mayor of Gorkha Municipality Krishna Bahadur Rana Magar, Deputy Mayor Masali Maya Thokar, Vice-Chair of Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality Indira Tiwari, Chief of the Gorkha Infrastructure Office Ganesh Subedi, and locals.

Local farmer Dhurba Khanal of Sahid Lakhan expressed gratitude to the provincial government, saying that the construction of the motorable bridge would bring an end to the longstanding difficulties faced by the community.