The Indian officials were urged to advance the process of construction of a motorable and two suspension bridges the Indian government pledged earlier, informed Chief District Officer Prem Singh Kunwar.

The border security is being beefed up at the border areas particularly at Kalapani and Pancheshwor in view of US President Barrack Obama's state-visit to India starting Sunday.

CDO Kunwar said the Indian officials were reminded of the Indian government's commitment to construct a motorable bridge at the district headquarters of Khalanga and the suspension bridges at Lali and Dhaulakot villages.

The Nepal government has also called for Indian support in constructing a suspension bridge at Joljibi of Uku VDC as the construction works had stalled as the Indian side was yet to provide site for the construction.

In response, Indian officials SDM of Pithauragadh, Abendra Kumar Pandey, said initiatives would be taken in this regard with the State and the Central government.

Similarly, the meeting held discussions on the impending embankment on the bank of the Mahakali River, according to which, both parties will jointly address the issues if surfaced during the construction time.

Furthermore, the Indian authorities also expressed their commitment to cease the on-going construction of the embankment from the Indian side as it was criticized for diverting the river's course towards Nepal, shared CDO Kunwar.

According to Mahendra Parsad Badu, the Chief at Mahakali River Control Project, Darchula, the Nepali officials turned down the request of Indian side to allow them a temporary road below the Ghattebagar to build another dam at Khotila in Dharchula, citing potential threat to Bangabagad area if any such construction takes place.

Nepali party, however, agreed to help in the ferry of the construction material to the site by allowing the Nepal's side road instead of building a new temporary one as requested by the India team.

Likewise, both the parties agreed to cooperate to curb the cross border crimes occurring along the border areas.

From the Nepal's side, CDO Kuwar, Chief at the Mahakali River Control Project Badu, Engineer at the District Development Committee, Chandra Sekhar Badu, the Chief at District Police Office, DSP Nain Singh Karki and DSP Bir Singh Shah of the Armed Police Force Border Security, Darchula, attended the meeting. RSS