Chitwan, May 10 -- Every monsoon, the Kayar river swells into a torrent that cuts off villages, strands families, and, at times, claims lives.

For residents of Siddhi in the hills of Chitwan district, crossing the river has long meant taking a gamble with death. Children clung to ropes to reach school. Pregnant women and the sick walked for hours for treatment. During heavy rains, entire settlements remained isolated for days.

Last July, 33-year-old Gambhir Bahadur Chepang was swept away while trying to cross the flooded river at Tindobhan. His body was recovered around 1.5 kilometres downstream.

"He might still be alive if there had been a bridge here," said Namuna Chepang, his relative, standing beside the structure now rising over t...