The government of India, which had made preparations to bring the bridge into operation for seven-hour daily from October 18, brought the bridge into operation for seven-hour from Saturday.

Sub Inspector at the Area Police Office, Gaddachauki, Rajendra Bahadur Chand, said the bridge was opened from 10 am Saturday.

The bridge would be opened from 6:00 am-8:00 am, 10:00 am -12 noon, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm and 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm daily from now onwards.

An agreement was reached between Nepal-India Secretary-level meeting held in Kathmandu five months ago to open the bridge for seven-hour daily from four hours.

With the operation of the bridge for seven-hour daily, businessmen as well as general people are benefited, said a youth entrepreneur of Mahendranagar, Dinesh Malla.