New Karnali Suspension Bridge Boosts Tourism and Connectivity

A newly constructed suspension bridge over the Karnali River at Daulatpur, linking Tikapur Municipality in Kailali with Rajapur Municipality in Bardiya, has begun drawing a growing number of domestic tourists.

The bridge, which recently came into operation after the completion of construction work, has attracted visitors interested in viewing the Karnali River, the surrounding farmlands and the natural beauty of the area. Many people have also started visiting the site in the evening to escape the summer heat.

Kiran Chaudhary of Tikapur Municipality 5 said local residents often visit the bridge in the evening for fresh air and relaxation. He said the number of visitors at the site was higher than expected.

The growing crowd has also created new income opportunities for local youths. Some have started offering photography and video services to visitors who come to take pictures and create social media content on the bridge.

Rajesh Chaudhary of Bardiya said he previously worked as a photographer at Tikapur Park and the Intake area of Bardiya. He said the rise in tourist arrivals at the new bridge has helped him earn enough from the site itself, making it unnecessary to travel elsewhere for work.

The bridge has not only become a tourist attraction but has also shortened the distance between Tikapur and Rajapur. With the bridge in operation, the travel distance has been reduced from around 24 kilometers to about 15 kilometers. It has also ended the need for risky boat crossings across the Karnali River.

Local resident Prem Prasad Bhandari said the bridge has connected the tourism potential of the two districts while making daily movement easier for local people. He said the nearby Tikapur Park is also expected to receive more domestic tourists as a result of improved access.

Bhandari said the bridge would help promote tourism and increase local income. He also expressed confidence that the daily lives of people in the Tikapur and Rajapur areas would become easier through improved access to markets, health services, education and social links.

The bridge was constructed by Thani Nirman Sewa. According to the company, the project was completed in about one year, well ahead of the deadline. The contract was signed on Asar 11, 2082 BS, and the company had been given until Asar 11, 2084 BS to complete the work.

Bikram Basnet, manager of the construction company, said the bridge has already been completed and opened for public movement. He said preparations are now being made for its formal handover.

The bridge was scheduled to be inaugurated on Asar 12, but the ceremony was postponed due to various reasons. According to Basnet, the 482 meter long bridge was built at a cost of around 157.39 million rupees.

Local resident Sundarlal Tharu said the bridge has the potential to become a major attraction along the Karnali River, not only a means of crossing. He said increased tourist movement could support local businesses and expand other economic activities in the area.

Two bridges over the Karnali River have recently been completed in the area. A concrete bridge over the river at Sankatti, linking Tikapur Municipality with Geruwa Rural Municipality of Bardiya, has also been completed and opened for traffic.

With the Daulatpur suspension bridge now in operation, local residents expect stronger links between communities on both sides of the Karnali River. They also expect increased movement, trade and tourism activities in the region.

By connecting natural beauty, river culture and local livelihoods, the new bridge is expected to become a new foundation for domestic tourism development in western Nepal.