Kathmandu, January 18
Nepal’s first two cantilever pathways constructed with the British support by Samarth – Nepal Market Development Programme in Gorkha district have been handed over to local government on Wednesday.
The UK Aid says it handed over the bridges to local government representatisves of Dharche and Tsum Numbri rural municipalities of northern Gorkha yesterday.
The structures are anchored to the rock face with special bolts drilled to the rocks. People access the bridges via access trails, which are a combination of rock and cement masonry. The civil works were done by local workers through users committee, according to the donor.
It says some villages of the area were cut off from other places of the district due to landslides triggered by thr 2015 earthquake and the pathways address the problem.
“The cantilever pathways and approach trails provide safe access to the Tsum Valley and villages in northern Gorkha for the local people as well as trekkers in the Manaslu Conservation area, ” reads the statement.
“The construction of these cantilevers will help reduce transportation costs – leading to a decrease in the price of many goods. They will also provide young children a safe and shorter route to school and improve access to markets and hospitals for the local people. The popular Manaslu trekking route, which was obstructed by 2015’s earthquakes, will also re-open to foreign and domestic tourists. All of these changes are expected to significantly improve locals’ livelihoods.”
