Nepal today inaugurated the 100-meter-long Khurkot Bridge, built at a cost of USD 1.8 million, that will provide the shortest land route between China and India.
Financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the bridge over the Sunkoshi River will also substantially enhance connectivity between hilly regions of Nepal.
The bridge serves as an important link for crossing the mid-hill highway and provide the shortest land route between the China and India, an ADB statement said.
"Enhanced connectivity and mobility are vital for local economic development and poverty reduction. Khurkot Bridge will provide a vital lifeline to the people in the northern hilly terrains along the Sunkoshi River," said Kenichi Yokoyama, ADB's country director for Nepal.
He said the bridge will link people to essential services offered in other parts of the country and open up a wide range of opportunities such as high value agriculture, tourism and trades.
The bridge, inaugurated by senior Nepali Congress leader and Minister of Transport Bimalendra Nidhi, was completed at a cost of USD 1.8 million, said Umeshananda Misra, Project Director in the Department of Roads.
The USD 55.2 million Roads Connectivity Sector I Project, of which the Khurkot Bridge was a part, is being completed in 12 districts.
A total of 318 km of strategic roads have been upgraded to fair weather standards under the project.
