Kathmandu, January 16:

Come June 2009 and you will be able to reach Kupandole from Tripureshwor within five minutes because locals and the government are joining hands to build a bridge linking Tripureshwor with Kupondole.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Pampha Bhushal laid a foundation stone for the construction of the bridge during a function organised here today.

The bridge will link Tripureshwor ward no-11 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City with ward numbers 1 and 2 of Kupandole, which lies in Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City.

The 85-metre-long bridge will have a width of eight metres.

According to an estimate, the construction of the bridge is estimated to cost around

Rs 45 million.

Speaking at the function, Bhusal said the government also needs support from the

locals for the construction of infrastructure like road and bridge.

Arjun Tandukar, a local of Kupandole, said the bridge will benefit the locals.

Thakur said, “It takes around half an hour to enter Kupandole from Tripureshwor. Once the bridge is constructed, we will reach Tripureshwor from Kupandole within five minutes.” Thakur expressed hope that the construction of the bridge will trigger further development of the area.

Shiva Upadhayaya, engineer and contractor for the construction of the bridge, said, “We

will build the bridge within 18 months.”

Upadhayaya said the bridge will help ease traffic congestion at the Bagmati Bridge in

Thapathali.