Nepalgunj, December 17:

The construction of a bridge over the Rapti river is underway, finally. The Road Division Office (RDO) Nepalgunj had initiated the construction of the bridge in 2002, but the construction came to a halt the same year due to a shortage of funds.

At least one lakh people across the Rapti river will benefit once the bridge becomes operational.

In the absence of a bridge, the people of nine VDCs across the Rapti river, namely Fattehpur, Nairanapur, Kahkuiya, Laxmanpur, Kalafanta, Mataiya, Gangapur, Binauna and Baijapur have no other option except to cross the river on boats. Chief of the RDO Nepalgunj Dayakant Jha said they aim to build the bridge within mid-June.

Rs 150 million out of Rs 190 earmarked for the construction has been spent.

The government has channelled Rs 20 million, he said, adding that the construction will be over within the deadline if an additional amount of Rs 20 million is made available.