Kaski. Three concrete motorable bridges have been constructed in the Kaski section of the Pushpalal (Mid-Hills) Highway, a project of national pride.

With the completion of the bridge, the problem of traffic that had been plaguing the long standing due to wide roads and narrow bridges has been removed and the movement of passengers and vehicles has been eased.

According to Engineer Ujjwal Sharma, information officer at the Pushpalal (Mid-hill) Highway Project Office, Parbat, two bridges have been constructed at Yamdi River in Pokhara Metropolitan City-1 and one at Panibihad near Ghattekhola of Annapurna Rural Municipality.

One new bridge each has been constructed on the right and left side of the old bridge over Yamdi River. The length of both the bridges is 52 meters each. Similarly, the length of the Panibhad bridge constructed in Annapurna Rural Municipality is 124 meters, said Engineer Sharma.

The road section from Yamdi Bridge to New Bridge under the Mid-Hill Highway had already been upgraded and expanded. Although the road was wide, the construction work of the bridge was not completed and in some places it was difficult to operate vehicles due to the lack of bridge structure according to the width of the road.

Especially due to the narrow bridge, there was a problem for the vehicles coming from the opposite direction to cross and there was also a risk of accidents. Now, after the construction of the concrete bridge according to the width of the road, the problem has been removed, according to the office. With the operation of the bridge, it is expected that the travel time will be saved and the movement of vehicles will also be more systematic.

“The risk of accidents has also been eliminated after the construction of the concrete bridge along the road. All the work of the bridge construction has been completed. This has made it easier for the passengers traveling through the Mid-Hill Highway,” said Information Officer Sharma.

The office had forwarded the work for the construction of all the three bridges through a single contract. Accordingly, a contract agreement was signed with Geeta Construction, Syangja on August 9, 2022 at a cost of Rs 215.99 million. According to the agreement, the construction work has been started and all three bridges have been brought into operation.

The Mid-Hill Highway has been connecting various districts of the mid-hill region of Nepal through road network. With the completion of the bridge along the Kaski section, transportation from Pokhara to Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi, Mustang and other districts will be easier.

Hundreds of vehicles ply daily through the Mid-Hill Highway to and from Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi, Mustang and eastern Rukum districts. This road section is also an important route for cargo vehicles, public transport and private vehicles.