Cabinet okays proposal to construct two bridges linking with China

KATHMANDU, June 11: A meeting of the cabinet endorsed a proposal of building two cross-border friendship bridges in Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani areas.

Both bridges were damaged by the deadly earthquake of April 2015. A temporary bridge has been built in Rasuwagadhi enabling cross-border movement of goods and people.

Rasuwagadhi borders China’s Kerung town and is currently main inland trade route between the two countries while Tatopani borders China’s Khasa town (Zhangmu). Tatopani-Zhangmu border has remained closed since the quake.

Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sher Bahadur Tamang said that the cabinet endorsed the proposal paving the way for the construction of the two bridges.

“The two bridges will be built under Chinese grant,” he said. “As designs of these two projects have already been prepared, the Chinese side can start construction of the bridges immediately.”

He said that these bridges, once built, would help increase trade between the two countries.