August 26, 2004
Inauguration of Chharka Bridge in Upper Dolpa
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His Excellency Mr. Zenji KAMINAGA, the Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Nepal, inaugurated Chharka Bridge, a 22 meter long steel truss bridge, built at the highest altitude of the world, over Changchung Khola, amidst a function organized today, in Chharka Village, Upper Dolpa. The Embassy of Japan had extended a grant of twenty-four thousand and two hundred US Dollars (US$24,200), equivalent to approximately one million, seven hundred and seventy-eight thousand, four hundred and fifty-eight Nepalese rupees (NRs. 1,778,458) to Chharka Bridge Construction Committee (CBCC) for the implementation of the Project for Chharka Bridge Construction in Japan's fiscal year 2003 under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) scheme of the Government of Japan. In the inaugural remark Ambassador Kaminaga expressed his happiness in completion of the first project supported by the Government of Japan in Dolpa District, which has a century long relationship between Japanese people.
Chharka Village, a remote area in Dolpa District is situated on the major route for the trade between Upper Dolpa, Jomsom and Tibet. The village is also regarded as an important intersection for Dunai, the district headquarter, Upper Dolpa and Tibet area. The area also has been well known for the place where Rev. Ekai KAWAGUCHI, the first Japanese to visit Nepal in 1899, had stopped off during his visit to Tibet. In spite of the importance of this village in terms of trade and communication in the region, lack of permanent bridge over the Changchung Khola has limited the social and economic link between these areas as temporary wooden bridge constructed by the local people has been swept away frequently in the past due to the rise of the water level in the river and increase in debris flow. Hence, CBCC initiated in fulfilling the demand of an urgent need of a reliable and permanent bridge.
Mr. Makoto NEBUKA and his friends in Japan had donated the required construction materials such as steel and cement etc. Mr. NEBUKA, the Japanese writer who frequently visited the area has studied Rev. Ekai KAWAGUCHI, and introduced the lure of Dolpa to the Japanese people through his writings. The labour and other locally available construction materials for the Project was contributed by CBCC. The Government of Japan supported the transportation cost of major construction materials for the bridge construction from Nepalgunj to Chharka by helicopter.
During the inaugural ceremony, Ambassador KAMINAGA expressed his belief that the bridge will contribute, directly and indirectly, to strengthen the social and economic activities of the people residing in Upper Dolpa, and people in the whole district by providing accessibility through all seasons. He also expressed his firm belief that the project will enhance the friendly relationship between the Kingdom of Nepal and Japan, and kindle the contribution made by Rev. Ekai KAWAGUCHI and open a new gate of friendship between the two nations as a threshold of 21st century.
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