Butwal, Jan. 16: Minister for Works and Transport Khum Bahadur Khadka laid the foundation stone today for the bridge to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 28,500,000 over the Jharahi river in Nawalparasi district.

On the occasion, Minister Khadka said the government has planned the implementation of a grand project to develop the Hulaki Marga as a highway.

Minister Khadka also said the bridge to be constructed at Jharahi will be instrumental in promoting economic activities in Rupandehi, Nawalparasi and Kapilbastu districts.

MP Devendra Raj Kandel said a promise to construction of the bridge was also included in the election manifesto of the Nepali Congress.

MP Duryodhan Singh Chaudhari said the bridge will also help in the development of the Lumbini zone and stressed that a black-topping of the Bhairahawa -Parasi road is quite urgent.

MP Bharat Saha said the bridge is to be constructed is in line with the proposed plan for constructing Lumbini zonal ring road.

Nawalparasi ddc chairman Ishwori Prasad Pandey said the teachers and employees in the remote areas in the district have been facing difficulties in their teaching and administrative works.

Mayor of Ramgram Municipality Govind Chaudhari said the Hulaki Marga should be developed as an alternative highway.

From the chair, secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transports Hiranya Lal Regmi said the construction of the bridge will contribute to bringing about economic and social prosperity in this region.

Also speaking on the occasion were nc Nawalparasi president Krishna Chandra Nepali, regional director of the western road division Sudhir Prasad Upadhyaya and chief of the Butwal road division Guru Prasad Dhakal.

The bridge is expected to be completed by the end of next fiscal year.