Four bridges to be built over Mahakali River

KATHMANDU, Nov 11:

The government is preparing to build three motorable bridges and a suspension bridge over the Mahakali River by using a part of US$ 1 billion credit line announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent Nepal visit in August.

The motorable bridge will be built at Jhulaghat, Darchula and near Sharada barrage to increase the zone´s connectivity with Uttarakhand state of India.

"The bridge at Sharada barrage will be a part of the proposed Asian Highwa”," Tulsi Sitaula, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, said.

Though there already is a motorable bridge near Sharada barrage, vehicles are barred from it as the bridge is in a dilapidated condition.

Similarly, the proposed suspension bridge will link a remote village of Dadeldhura district with an Indian town on the other side of the Mahakali River.

The agreement for these infrastructure projects was signed during Kathmandu visit of Sujata Mehta, secretary of India´s Ministry of External Affairs, a week ago.

Nepal had repeatedly sought Indian assistance for different infrastructures project in the western parts of the country in various forums. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had agreed in principle to provide support for the construction of bridges during their recent Nepal visits.“

"Besides these projects, we are also looking for other projects for balanced development in hills and Tarai region from east to west," added Sitaula.

The ministry is also preparing to channel a portion of the line of credit promised by India for the eastern section of the Mid-Hill Highway -- a national priority project.
 
The terms and conditions for the credit line were concluded during Mehta´s visit a week ago. She also looks after the Development Partnership Administration between the countries.
India charges one percent interest and 0.25 commitment charge on the credit line.

Source: Republica