Suspension bridge to connect Susta

Estimated cost put at Rs 350 million

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KATHMANDU, March 21: In order to connect directly with Susta Village Development Committee in Nawalparasi district, the government has finalized a plan to construct a suspension bridge over the Narayani River, similar to one over the Mahakali that connects Chandani and Dodhara on the western border.

Susta residents have to pass through Indian territory to receive any services from the government or connect with neighboring villages. Moreover, Susta VDC, which is far from any presence of the district administration, has come under recurrent encroachment by the Indian authorities, and the locals also feel insecure.

Speaking at the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, Lila Mani Paudyal, the government's chief secretary, said that the design for the suspension bridge has been finalized and the proposal for building it, at an estimated cost Rs 350 million, has been tabled at the National Planning Commission for final approval.

"We will start the bridge construction within this fiscal year," added Paudyal in response to lawmakers' questions why the government has delayed over the construction.

The bridge will be a combine of five suspension sets spanning a total of 1,705 meters. The bridge over the Mahakali has four sets of suspension and a length of 1,496 meters.

Jivan Shrestha, Director General of the Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR), said that they are waiting for a budget allocation from the government to start the project, which will take about four years to complete.

The bridge will not only connect the population of about 2,500 in 267 households with the district administration and give them a sense of security but also connect up with other villages.