Bridge over Koshi River at Chatara formally comes into operation

BIRATNAGAR: Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Monday inaugurated the bridge over Koshi River at Chatara, joining Sunsari and Udayapur districts.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) helped construct the bridge which has been considered an alternative route to connect the eastern districts on the other side of mighty river.

With the construction of bridge joining Mainamaini of Udayapur and Baraha Kshetra of Sunsari, an alternative route to join eastern districts with the central region via Makawanpur has been created.

Speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister Koirala said the new bridge would ease life of people of the eastern region.

Earlier, locals of villages nearby Chatara area on both sides were forced to cross the river on makeshift bamboo boats, putting life at risk.

The bridge was constructed with an investment of Rs 761.1 million. Of the total investment, the ADB had contributed 60 per cent as grant.

Speaking at the same function, Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Tulasi Prasad Sitaula said the bridge would also help national economy grow.

ADB Country Director for Nepal, Kenichi Yokoyama, had also spoken at the function.

The government in November 2011 had initiated the bridge construction as an alternative route to connect the eastern region with the central region after floods frequently threatened an around-50-year-old bridge at the Saptakoshi Barrage along the East-West Highway.