By Lokendra Joshi, Darchula, Feb. 4: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuin (Wire Bridge) over the Mahakali River had been closed from April 2020. Due to the inaccessibility of Tuin, the locals of Byas Rural Municipality have started feeling like they have been staying on a stranded hill.

Be it to travel for governmental works or to go to the market, there is no alternative for the Darchula locals other than using the wire bridge to cross the mighty Mahakali.

One has to cross the Mahakali River from the area above Dhaulakot of the Rural Municipality to reach the district headquarters. Deepak Bhatta, a local said, "As no bridge has been constructed, we do not have any alternative other than using the wire bridge."

Likewise, Ramesh Singh Kunwar of Byas Rural Municipality-3 said, "It is said that the government has decided to open the Nepal-India border point. If the Tuin is also opened, it would be a lot easier for us to commute."
The locals had been elated after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in 2016 assured that the Tuins would be replaced within two years. However, the construction of a suspension bridge to replace the Tuins has not completed yet.

The local entrepreneurs of Byas Municipality said that the problem to cross the river had further increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The locals have been risking their lives to cross the Mahakali as the construction of bridges in four main points to cross the river is yet to be completed.

"It takes two days to reach the district headquarters by walking," said Harak Singh Budhathoki of Rapla, Byas Rural Municipality-2, "But if we enter India by crossing the river via wire bridge, we can reach the headquarters from roadways in a day."

Budhathoki said that it was better to use the Tuin rather than to wait for the completion of the construction of the suspension bridge.

All the leaders, officials, and citizens have been using Tuin to commute from the headquarters to Byas Rural Municipality. Many have even lost their lives while crossing the dangerous wire bridge.

Jagat Singh Dhami, another local said that they had been requesting the leaders to construct a bridge over the Mahakali.

It had been recommended to construct 10 suspension bridges over the Mahakali River connecting Nepal and India of which, only four bridges were under construction but the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the uncertainty regarding completion of the construction.

The locals have been complaining that India's side had become negligent in completing the construction on time.