Giving the green light for construction work to begin, Chief Secretary Lilamani Poudel and lawmaker Chandra Bhandari had jointly laid the foundation stone for the three-way suspension bridge on Monday. With an investment of approximately Rs 100 million, the one of its kind suspension bridge is expected to facilitate easy access from one district to another for the residents of Gulmi, Palpa and Syangja.

According to Jiwan Kumar Shrestha, director at the Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR), the cable-stayed suspension bridge will be supported by a single pillar spanning seven diameters in the middle.

Likewise, Humakanta Mishra, design engineer of the bridge said that the length of the bridge will be over 180 meters on either side.

“Spanning 540 meters, the bridge is designed to withhold 500 kgs per meter,” Mishra said, adding that they had also taken into consideration the famous Maghe Sankranti festival observed in Ridi while determining the capacity of the bridge. Devotees from around the nation throng the region to participate in the festival.

Envisioned by Local Development Officer Hari Gyawali , construction work on the three-way bridge had started at the initiation of Chief Secretary Poudel and lawmaker Bhandari. 

Bhandari said that they had taken the initiative with an intention to make Gulmi a ‘model district’ in the country. “The bridge will exploit the region’s tourism potential and help increase the religious significance of Ridi,” Bhandari said. Stating that anything could be achieved through determination, Bhandari further added that they had been making a coordinated effort towards infrastructure development of the region.

“As the entire length of the bridge will be fitted with lights, Ridi bazaar will be lit up during the evening as a result to make a spectacular view for locals as well as tourists,” Shrestha said.

Stating that they had to overcome various obstacles to realise the project, Poudel said that they had started the project with a clear aim to facilitate transport services, infrastructure development and religious significance of all the three neighbouring districts—Gulmi, Palpa and Syangja.

“Even the locals have helped facilitate construction work by providing their land free of cost,” said local social worker Keshar Man Shrestha.

Meanwhile, the Nayabato Rubina Mana JV has started the construction work on the tridge with an initial budget of Rs 98,826,332.

The bridge will directly connect Ridi to Argali in Palpa, and Chandibhanjyang VDC in Karikot, Syangja.

The bridge will also rid the locals of Chandibhanjyang from the hassle of travelling for two hours to reach Ridi, located across the river.

According to DoLIDAR, construction work on the bridge is expected to be completed within three years as per the agreement.