KATHMANDU: A new 2.86-kilometre bridge has been proposed over the Koshi River as an alternative to the six-decade-old Koshi Barrage. The project is expected to shorten the East-West Highway by around 14 kilometers.
The proposed bridge will connect Sunsari and Saptari districts. It will be built around 10 kilometers north of the existing Koshi Barrage.
The government is currently upgrading the East-West Highway into a four-lane road. The proposed bridge and road section are part of this wider expansion plan.
The Koshi Barrage was completed in 1962 and came into operation in 1965. It was designed for a lifespan of 50 years. Following concerns over its ageing structure, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared in 2019 to develop an alternative bridge and road.
The project proposes a 46-kilometre four-lane road from Rajabas in Sunsari to Kanchanpur in Saptari. This includes 43.2 kilometers of road and a 2.86-kilometre bridge across the Koshi River.
However, the project was delayed because the proposed road alignment passes through the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. The Ministry of Forests had not granted permission to proceed with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The process is now expected to move forward following interest from Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal.
Chudaraj Dhakal, director of the Department of Roads’ Project Directorate (ADB), said discussions are underway with the Ministry of Forests and the wildlife reserve to resume the EIA process.
He also said discussions are ongoing to arrange funding for the project.
The project was previously estimated to cost around Rs 43 billion. However, the estimated cost has now increased to Rs 50 billion to Rs 55 billion, according to Dhakal.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had earlier shown interest in financing the project. Authorities are now exploring funding options through foreign development partners, the government and the private sector.
Dhakal said the project could also be developed under a Hybrid Annuity Model, involving both government and private sector investment. He added that the government alone may not be able to manage the required investment.
Once completed, the Rajabas-Kanchanpur road and the new Koshi River bridge will reduce the East-West Highway’s total distance by around 14 kilometers. The project is expected to reduce travel time and bring economic benefits by improving connectivity between the eastern districts.
