A suspension bridge constructed over Mahakali River in Lali of Lekam Rural Municipality-3 in Darchula district one-and-a-half months ago has yet to come into operation.

The bridge connects Lali with Dauda of Pithoragarh district in India. Construction of the bridge was over by the third week of December last year. Authorities said that the bridge has not come into operation because the Indian side has not given them permission to operate it.

People have been risking their lives to cross the river. “The bridge has been built but we are still having to use tubes while crossing the river,” said Karan Singh Bhandari, a local man of Lali. “Why was the bridge constructed if we cannot use it?”

Local officials said they have submitted a technical report to the Indian authorities on completion of the construction. Assistant Chief District Officer Tek Singh Kunwar said the Indian side has yet to respond.

“Mahakali is in the border area. We have to coordinate with the Indian authorities to operate the bridge,” said Kunwar.

Paramananda Joshi, chairman of Lekam Rural Municipality, said people are facing difficulties while crossing the river even though the bridge has already been ready. “We have drawn the attention of the concerned authorities time and again but they are unable to operate the bridge.”

The bridge is around 200 meters long. The contractor said they also faced difficulties because the authorities had failed to properly coordinate with Indian officials in the construction phase.

According to the District Administration Office, they have already notified officials of Darchula and Pithoragarh to facilitate operation of the bridge.