President Ramchandra Paudel on Thursday inaugurated a suspension bridge over the Narayani River that connects Susta village.

Speaking briefly after the inauguration, President Paudel expressed his happiness stating that the hardship of the locals in the Susta area is over with the construction and operation of the footbridge.

“It is a huge relief for the local people of Susta who had to risk their lives crossing the river on wooden boats. The bridge has been a new identity of this place,” he said.

Paudel also said he expects the bridge constructed near Tribenidham, a revered place for Hindu people, would promote tourism in the area. The 1,571-metre-long bridge—which is claimed to be the country’s longest multi-span suspension bridge—was constructed by the Suspension Bridge Division Office.

The locals of Susta village, which is surrounded by the Narayani River and Indian territory, have heaved a sigh of relief with the construction of a suspension bridge across the river.

Previously, the residents of Susta had to risk their lives on a wooden boat to cross the Narayani, one of the country’s major rivers, or travel through Indian territory during health emergencies or important tasks.

Susta village lies in ward 5 of Susta Rural Municipality in Nawalparasi West.

Nepal and India have a longstanding border dispute in the Susta area after the Narayani River changed its course.

The residents in Susta complained that Indian authorities have encroached on Nepali land and the personnel from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the border security force of India, harass them under various pretexts.

However, Susta locals had no choice but to use Indian land for emergencies like hospital visits, since crossing the river by boat was not possible during night time.

The bridge construction, albeit delayed, has eased the movement of Susta residents.

The construction commenced some nine years ago and was supposed to be completed in three years. But the contractor halted work several times, delaying the project by six more years.