Government plans Rs 43 billion bridge to replace Koshi Barrage

The Department of Roads has announced plans to construct a new bridge across the Saptakoshi River to serve as an alternative to the aging Koshi Barrage. The proposed three-kilometer-long structure will connect Kanchanpur in Saptari district to Rajabas in Sunsari district, according to the Department of Roads Project Directorate.

Chuda Raj Dhakal, a director at the project directorate, stated that the initiative is based on a detailed project report finalized several years ago. The project is estimated to cost Rs 43 billion and will be supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a multilateral development institution that provides financial assistance for infrastructure projects in the region.

Beyond the bridge itself, the project includes the construction of 43 kilometers of new road. Once completed, the route is expected to reduce travel distance along the East-West Highway by 14 kilometers, potentially easing traffic congestion and improving transport management in eastern Nepal.

Technical and environmental preparations

Officials are currently engaged in the technical and procedural groundwork required to initiate construction. According to reports from Nagarik News, The Rising Nepal, Nepal Press, and Ratopati, the project is currently navigating necessary environmental and legal clearances. These steps are particularly significant because the proposed construction site borders the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, a protected area that requires strict adherence to environmental regulations.

The Koshi Barrage, which currently facilitates transit between Saptari and Sunsari, has faced increasing pressure from high traffic volumes and structural aging. The proposed alternative is intended to provide a more durable and efficient transit link for the region. While the project is moving forward, authorities have emphasized that the current phase is focused on finalizing the technical preparations and procedural requirements necessary to begin the development of the bridge and its associated road network.