New 3-km bridge planned to replace Koshi Barrage

Preparations are underway to build a new bridge as an alternative to the Koshi Barrage bridge connecting Saptari and Sunsari.

The proposed bridge will start from Kanchanpur in Saptari district and reach Rajabas in Sunsari district.

According to Chudaraj Dhakal, director at the Department of Roads' project directorate, the bridge will be about three kilometers long and of a special nature.

Construction is being taken forward on the basis of a detailed project report prepared a few years ago. Director Dhakal said the estimated cost of the bridge is about Rs 43 billion.

The project will be built with support from the Asian Development Bank. Along with the bridge, about 43 kilometers of new road will also be constructed under the project.

Once the bridge comes into operation, travel on the East-West Highway will be shortened by about 14 kilometers.

Director Dhakal said technical preparations for the bridge and road, along with the procedural work needed for construction, are currently underway. Since the project area is connected to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, work is also under way on certain environmental and legal approvals.

The new bridge is being prepared because the Koshi Barrage is aging and traffic load is increasing.