Hilsa Friendship Bridge Not to Come into Operation Immediately; to Open Only After Handover in Kathmandu

Darchula — The friendship bridge built by China at Hilsa on the Nepal-China border will not come into operation for the time being. The Chinese side conveyed this information following an informal discussion held at the bridge construction site in Hilsa between representatives of the districts adjoining the border areas of the two countries.

According to Chief District Officer Tekkumar Regmi, a discussion was held between representatives of both sides at the bridge construction site itself under a workplace-based information exchange programme. During the discussion, the Chinese side informed that a programme would first be held in Kathmandu where the Chinese government would hand over the bridge to the Nepali government, and the Nepali government would receive it. Only after this formal handover will the process of bringing the bridge into operation proceed with the consent of both countries.

Along with the bridge, China has already constructed approximately 350 metres of blacktopped road from the pillar on the Nepali side. While the Chinese side has completed the construction of the entry gate on its end, construction on the Nepal side remains pending.

According to CDO Regmi, the bridge was built by the Chinese government pursuant to Article 6 of the Beijing Agreement between the Nepali government and the Chinese government. The discussion also covered border security and activities that could be directed against either country, with both sides expressing their commitment to preventing any such activities.