Basanta Chaudhary of Lalpur, Bedkot Municipality-9, has been working as a photographer since he was a child. Since he was in the 8th grade, he has been carrying a camera to the park in Mahendranagar and taking photos. After the construction of a four-lane concrete bridge over the Mahakali River, the number of people visiting the area to see the bridge started increasing. He, who was taking photos in the park, also moved to the four-lane bridge.

‘On days when there is a large crowd of people coming to see the bridge, there is a good income,’ said Chaudhary, ‘even if a few people come, there is a little income.’ He passed his Plus Two with a science degree and is now working as a photographer. He earns up to two to two and a half thousand a day.

People come from far and wide to see the four-lane bridge built on the Mahakali River and the six-lane road leading to the bridge (Viral Road). During holidays and festivals, there is a crowd of people watching the bridge and Viral Road. The number of people taking photos is also higher at that time.

‘There is more crowd during holidays and festivals, and if there is more crowd, the income is also good,’ said Paul Thagunna, a Maulaulikan from Baitadi, who has been working as a photographer on the concrete bridge for three years. ‘I earn from fifteen hundred to two or two and a half thousand rupees a day.’ He has purchased four cameras worth around two hundred thousand rupees from the income he earned by taking photos on the bridge. He also uses those cameras to take photos on the bridge. For this, he has hired photographers on daily wages.

A stand with the words ‘I Love Four Lane’ written on it has also been built in the middle of the bridge. People who come to see the bridge are placed on that stand and taken photos. Thagunna says that they charge 20 rupees for taking one photo. He said that one person takes two or four or even more photos.

Renam Bhatt of Bhimdatta Municipality-13, whose house is next to the concrete bridge, is studying BBS seventh semester at the central campus of Sudurpaschim University. He goes to college in the morning. After returning from college, he reaches the bridge in the afternoon to take photos. They can be found at the bridge until late in the evening.

‘Along with studies, I also earn a little income, I have managed my studies and household expenses from this,’ Bhatt said, ‘On days when the crowd is good, I earn well, I don’t have to go to India or other countries for money.’ He is earning more than two thousand a day just after returning from college.

Like Renam, Ganesh Bhatt of Dodhara Chandni Municipality-1 is also studying BBS third semester. He also goes to college in the morning and then works on taking photos. With this, he has managed his studies and household expenses.

‘One can comfortably earn Rs. 1,500/1,500 per day,’ he said, ‘studying and earning are going hand in hand.’ He has bought a camera worth around Rs. 200,000 from this profession.

The four-lane concrete bridge built on the Mahakali River to connect Dodhara Chandni with the road network has not only made the remote Mahakali settlements accessible, but has also provided employment opportunities to the youth of this area. Currently, 18/20 youths are earning at least Rs. 40/50 thousand per month from working as photographers on the concrete bridge.

Those who come to see the bridge and travel do not return without taking a photo on the bridge once. People from the areas around the bridge and some from far away also come here. Not only those who take photos, but also those who sell everything from chatpatte to maam and chowmin on carts around the bridge are earning a good income. The number of hotels and snack shops opening in the area around the bridge has also increased.