The 200 metres long bridge is the longest among the 80 bridges that are to be constructed in the mid-hills highway that begins at Panchthar in the east and ends at Jhulaghat in the far-west.

The bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 225 million.

The locals are happy with the construction of the concrete bridge. Before this, vehicles and goods were transported across the river with the help of a ferry.

'Construction of the bridge here has not only made travel easier for the vehicles but also for the locals to cross the river,' said Meena Nepali of Bayala, Achham.

48 out of the 80 concrete bridges have been constructed throughout the highway while 32 are under construction. The Pushpalal Highway is 1,786 kilometres long and connects 215 settlements of 25 districts in the hilly region.