Work begins on new highway connecting India-Nepal
10 Nov 2009
Kathmandu: Work has commenced on a new road link between India and Nepal which will slash travel distance between the two countries to a mere 76.2 km. The new highway will make it possible to reach Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital, in 90 minutes from the Indian border town of Birgunj.
The new 22-metre wide, four-lane, fast-track highway will cost $706.66 million and will significantly bring down transportation costs between the two countries. It is being built at the initiative of the Nepalese Army.
The existing highway from Rauxal is over 200 km long and it takes at least five hours to reach Kathmandu from the Indian border.
Construction of the new highway, which will also have a 1.3 km long tunnel in between, is expected to be complete within the next three years.
The foundation stone of the new highway was laid jointly by the two deputy prime ministers of Nepal, Bijaya Gachchhadar and Ms Sujata Koirala.
The new highway will also link Nepal's proposed second international airport in Bara district with the capital.