Government authorities in Nepal have granted India permission to construct two wooden bridges across Mahakali River in Byas Rural Municipality, Darchula. 

The District Administration Office (DAO) in Darchula said four makeshift bridges would be constructed, two each by Nepal and India, in Byas area soon as per the demands of the local residents of both countries.

Chief District Officer (CDO) Khuma Kanta Acharya said, “We received a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday to permit Indian authorities to construct two wooden bridges across Mahakali River. After discussing with the stakeholders we granted permission to the Indian authorities to construct the bridges.”

As per the ministerial decision, Nepal will construct two bridges in Dumling and Malmaya while India will build in Lakhanpur and Najang. Earlier this year, there was an issue after India constructed four such bridges in the area in February without taking Nepal government’s consent. India also constructed a 150-metre track for the passage of vehicles carrying heavy equipment and two-km road for pedestrians in the area.

The Indian authorities later admitted their mistake of constructing the makeshift bridges without taking

permission of Nepali authorities.

Following the controversy, local people of Byas demolished three bridges in March while floods swept away the fourth during monsoons.

Indian authorities had urged permission to build the temporary bridges to move construction workers and other people, as the foot trail on their side was impassable due to road construction. Indian crews are constructing the road from Lakhanpur to Lipu-Lekh at a fast pace.

The wooden bridge would benefit local people of both the countries. The stakeholders suggested Nepal should strengthen security on the bridge construction sites. They argued smugglers might use the new border points to smuggle animal parts and others contraband.