December 10: Construction of a bailey-bridge has begun over the Sunkoshi River that joins Gaighat-Diktel section under Sagarmatha higway.

According to Kamal Prasad Yadav, engineer at Diktel Road Planning Office, they plan to finish the construction and operate the bridge by mid-December.

Transportation from Gaighat to Khotang was earlier blocked after the bridge at Foksinta, Udayapur, where the current construction is taking place, was removed in fear of being swept by the heavy rainfall-induced flood last June. At present, locals are compelled to cross the section through the nearby suspension bridge.

The total cost for construction of the bridge is Rs 7.4 million and will be 50 meter in length and 5 meter in width, said the proprietor of Udayapur-based Sagarmatha Construction Company, Prem Raj Karki. He informed that the construction will be completed within one month.