Bailey bridge over Phalakhu river lets tourists return to Rasuwa

After a Bailey bridge was installed across the Phalakhu river in Betrawati, tourist movement has resumed in Rasuwa's Langtang area. On Bhadra 10, floods in the Bhotekoshi river swept away the bridge over the Phalakhu river, severely damaging the road from Bidur in Nuwakot to Betrawati. Tourist movement in Rasuwa had been at a standstill for about a month and a half since then.

The Bailey bridge, built by the Nepali Army, was installed on Asoj 25. With the bridge now operational, the district's road connectivity and access to the trade point with China have also been restored.

On Wednesday, vehicles carrying foreign tourists were seen queuing up on the road toward Langtang via Dhunche. Tourists have also started heading toward the religious pilgrimage site of Gosaikunda.

Nishan Gajurel, a hotelier in Dhunche, said hotels had been left empty after the floods and bookings were being cancelled continuously, raising fears of losing the entire season. He said that with the bridge now built and tourists arriving in good numbers, this joy is even bigger than Dashain.

Local business operators are optimistic that the number of domestic and foreign tourists at hotels, resorts and on trekking trails will increase.