Bardiya, Nov. 6 -- Construction of a new bridge over the Babai River, meant to connect Gulariya and Barbardiya municipalities, has been left in limbo for years due to a lack of budget approval.

The previous bridge was swept away by floods eight years ago, leaving more than 150,000 residents struggling with mobility. Although a proposal for budget approval was submitted two years ago, the Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission have yet to approve, halting the project.

Narendra Prasad Bhatta, chief of the Division Road Office in Nepalgunj, said the proposal was cancelled last fiscal year due to the lack of budget consent. "We have resubmitted the file through the Department of Roads. Construction will begin once approval...