Suspension Bridge Connects Viral Magdi Village with Religious Hub in Baglung, Boosting Tourism and Trade

Ratne Chaur village in Myagdi, famous for going viral, faces Kudule village of Baglung, known as a religious and agricultural production area, across the Dhodeni River that forms the border between Myagdi and Baglung. This 388-meter long suspension bridge built over the Dhodeni River connecting these two villages has become a means of convenience for the locals and is also emerging as a center of tourist attraction.

Tourists visiting to enjoy the natural scenery and observe the Panchakot and Shila Gram Museum in Kudule, Baglung, and Ratne Chaur in Beni Municipality-1, Myagdi, often cross this 388-meter long and 170-meter high suspension bridge connecting Ratne Chaur and Kudule, according to Sushila Bhandari of Ratne Chaur.

This bridge, constructed three years ago in 2079 BS by the Federal Government's 'Suspension Bridge' division over the Dhodeni River at a cost of Rs 35 million, has not only connected the two districts but has also significantly aided in the sale of agricultural produce and tourism development, stated Tek Bahadur Thapa, Ward Chairman of Beni Municipality-1.

"Previously, it took an hour and a half to reach Kudule. After the bridge was built, the one-and-a-half-hour journey has been reduced to five minutes," said Ward Chairman Thapa. "The bridge has not only provided convenience but has also facilitated the marketing of vegetables and milk produced in Ratne Chaur, and religious tourists visiting Panchakot and the Shila Gram Museum in Kudule, as well as tourists visiting the viral road, mustard fields, and Jyamrukot in Ratne Chaur, can now enjoy the natural beauty of Myagdi, Baglung, and Parbat from the bridge."

The bridge, constructed near the Shri Lakshmi Hari Temple in Ratne Chaur on the eastern side of the Beni-Baglung road section, has also facilitated the marketing and economic transactions of agricultural produce grown by residents of villages including Argam, Ratne Chaur, Jyamrukot, Phaparkhet, Khabra, Fedi, Kudule, Bandre, and Bhansa, according to Mek Bahadur Bogati of Ratne Chaur.

"The bridge has helped in the tourism development of the Ratne Chaur playground, Shri Lakshmi Hari Temple, and the largest man-made Budhopoakhari in the Dhaulagiri region, attracting tourists who came to Baglung," he added.

Three bridges longer than 300 meters have been constructed in Myagdi. Previously, a 365.80-meter long and 148-meter high suspension bridge connecting Beg and Baduk in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-1 in northern Myagdi was constructed. Similarly, a 350-meter long suspension bridge connecting Bimwang in Malika Rural Municipality-7 and Rikh in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-6 in western Myagdi has been built.