BETTIAH, July 8 -- Barely a few days after Hindustan Times published a report, Bihar's rural works department (RWD) floated a tender for the construction of a bridge over Sikarahana River at Jawaharpur Ghat in West Champaran's Lauriya block on Monday, inviting the bidders to complete the construction work in 180 days. According to a notification, the bidders have been advised to visit the location to be acquainted with the physical condition of the road at Jawaharpur Ghat under Belwa Lakhanpur panchayat of Lauriya block in Bagaha subdivision of West Champaran for construction of the 134.20 metre bridge for about Rs.16.86 crore. On July 2, Hindustan Times had reported how villagers of eight panchayats including students undertook risky journey on boat to reach their destination in the absence of a bridge at Jawaharpur Ghat. Soon after the news spread, there was celebration in the villages of Lauriya block. The villagers also thanked HT for highlighting the issue in the public interest. "Our demand for bridge has been pending since 2000. Very thanks to HT and CM Nitish Kumar for this," said Sipahi Choudhary, a resident of Ram Parsauna village. Nishan Kumar Pandey, state general secretary, (Labour and IT cell), JD(U) also thanked HT. "I sincerely express my gratitude for the issuance of the tender for the much-needed bridge in our district, which came after the news coverage by Hindustan Times and a lot of thanks to CM Nitish kumar and our respected MP (Valmiki Nagar ) Sunil kumar ji for this," Pandey said....