The ministry said that 374 trail bridges were constructed last year to bring the total number to 5,735. These suspension bridges have proved to be a boon for people in remote Nepal, it added.

The government estimates that 1.5 million rural people use these bridges daily to travel to school, health posts, markets and homes. Trail bridges have been a lifeline for rural people they have proven to be the most beneficial rural infrastructure in the country.

Attendance of students in schools near a trail bridge has increased significantly. The government estimates that attendance has increased by 18 percent in areas where there is a trail bridge.

Similarly the number of people visiting health posts jumped 32 percent in areas near trail bridges. Moreover, business activities have increased significantly in those areas. The ministry said that women attendance in schools and health posts was relatively greater from places near trail bridges. “Due to the importance of these bridges in society, the government will be continuing the projects with the financial support of various development partners,” the ministry said in a statement. The government has implemented Trail Bridge Strategy 2062 and applied trail bridge Sector-Wise Approach (SWAp) Guidelines 2066.

Phase I of the trail bridge programme was launched under SWAp modality in July 2009. The ministry said that the government had recently endorsed Phase II of the project (2014-19. The government has targeted constructing 2,500 new bridges and renovating 800 old bridges under the second phase of the project. It is expected to serve an additional 3.7 million rural people with safe bridge access, the ministry said. The project is estimated to cost Rs 10 billion.   

Nepal has been an evolving ground for trail suspension bridges over the last 50 years. A study shows that with over 6,000 rivers and rivulets, trail bridges are instrumental for rural settlements for access to market places and service centres which otherwise would come to a standstill especially during the rains.

Engineered and planned trail bridge building started only around the 1960s. Before that, people had no choice but to construct crossings to the best of their indigenous knowledge, abilities and available resources. The United States Operation Mission was the first to launch a trail bridge building programme in Nepal.