The construction work on the bridge had started on November 1, 2012, with an aim to complete it in three year’s time. However, the bridge was completed nine months before the deadline. The 1,015-meter bridge, which is said to be Nepal’s longest bridge, connects a municipality and five VDCs of Rajapur Tappu surrounded by the Karnali river on all four directions. The bridge constructed at the cost of around Rs 1 billion came into operation recently. Currently, only pedestrians, cycles and motorcycles are allowed to use the bridge.

Speaking at a programme held on the occasion to mark the inauguration of the bridge, Minister Nidhi said that the bridge will connect the area to the “outside world”.

“Problems facing the residents of the area will go away with the bridge coming into operation,” he said, adding that he would like to thank the construction company which completed the construction work nine months before the set deadline. Although authorities had planned to inaugurate the bridge on Tuesday, they had to postpone the inauguration due to CPN-Maoist enforcing district shut down that day.

Earlier, local people had to use boats to cross the Geruwa river by seriously putting their lives at risk. The locals said that they will benefit from the bridge in various ways. For instance, farmers hope the bridge will ease the supply of agricultural products to the market.