Suspension bridge linking Balmiki Ashram comes into operation

KATHMANDU: A suspension bridge constructed over the Narayani River at Triveni, Nawalpur has been brought into operation.

The bridge named as ‘Lawakush’ connects Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-6 of Nawalpur in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) and Madi Municipality-1 of Chitwan.

The around 535 metres long bridge was opened on Monday and it has come into operation two years after its construction. It has been built to ease travel up to the Balmiki Ashram, a place of religious importance, at Madi Municipality-1 from Nawalpur. The construction of the bridge had started in 2070 BS and it was completed in 2079 BS.

The bridge could not come into operation since it is located inside the command area of the Chitwan National Park towards Chitwan side. It is constructed by Rubina-Mana JB Joint Venture Company at a cost of Rs 60 million.

People will now be able to travel up to Balmiki Ashram from Triveni via Nepali territory after the operation of the bridge. Before this, there was no route to reach the Balmiki Ashram towards Chitwan side and also from Nawalpur side.

Due to this, the people had to cross the Gandak barrage at Triveni and travel via Valmikinagar and the Valmeeki Tiger Reserve in India to reach Balmiki Ashram. Visitors going to the pilgrimage site had to travel long distance and hours while using the route on India side.

The compulsion of traveling to the holy site located within the country via India has now come to an end with the opening of the suspension bridge, said Tilak Mahat, former lawmaker from Nawalpur.

He added that the visitors traveling to the Balmiki Ashram will no longer have to use the route via India and they can now easily reach the site using the route inside Nepal.

According to him, besides easing travel, the suspension bridge will also support the development, conservation and promotion of one of the important places of spiritual tourism in the district.