The government is going to build a four-lane bridge over Mahakali River that borders Nepal and India in Kanchanpur district.

The bridge will be constructed under the Road Upgradation Project of the Department of Roads (DoR). India’s EXIM Bank is said to provide a soft loan to build the bridge. The undertaking is expected to cost Rs 4.5 billion.

On Tuesday, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Ramesh Lekhak inaugurated the Mahakali Bridge Construction Project Office at Mahendranagar. Speaking on the occasion, he said the bridge will widen the Nepal-India economic ties. 

The town of Dodhara Chandani, which is connected to the bordering Indian town via suspension bridge, could develop into a major border town with the motorable bridge, the minister added.

DoR Director General Devendra Karki said the proposed bridge will be 800-metre long with 16 spans.

The construction works will begin shortly, he said, adding that the Detailed Project Report has already been completed and the project officials are presently working on tender documents.   

The project chief, Sunil Babu Panta, said the bridge would be constructed 2.5 km upstream from Dodhara-Chandani suspension bridge.