Bridge construction stalled in lack of India’s consent

By Our Correspondent,Dhangadhi, Mar. 10: Construction of a motorable bridge over the Mohana River at Bhajani Municipality-5 Gulariya Ghat of Kailali is uncertain as India denied its consent for the development of the project. 

Although the process to build a bridge at the border between the two countries has been advanced in the current fiscal year 2022/23, the construction has become uncertain due to the Indian unwillingness. 

Spokesperson of Bhajani Municipality, Bikram Chaudhary said that India has not agreed to build a bridge at the place connecting the territories of the two countries. 

According to him, the issue of the bridge was discussed several times up to the top level. However, India did not agree.

"Since India has not agreed, it seems impossible to build a bridge on this Ghat," he said, "Because, without an agreement from the neighbouring country, a bridge cannot be built."

The federal government has allocated a budget of Rs. 4.7 million in the current fiscal year to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) of the bridge at Gulryia Ghat. Following the allocation of the budget by 

the government, a team of people's representatives along with the bridge division office had inspected the place in August 2022.

Keshab Bahadur Budha, Ward Chairman of Bhajani Municipality-5, said that the further process for the bridge project could not take place besides inspection. 

"I heard that the budget has been allocated for the DPR at least three times. But we have seen no progress in this regard," he said. 

Since there is no bridge at Gulariya Ghat, boats are the means of transportation. Boats are operating there from both Nepal and India side. While Bhajani Municipality has given a contract to a contractor for the operation of boat service, Indians are also operating boats on the same Ghat from the other side. 

Ward Chairman Budha said that the Nepali and Indian contractors raise the fare of boat from the respective side when travelers use the facility. Since people have to cross the river anyway for various works, building bridge would facilitate the travel. 

From Gulariya Ghat, Nepalis go to the bordering Indian markets of Tikuniya and other cities for shopping and health care services. Likewise, Indians also come to Bhajani, Joshipur, Sukhad and other markets for shopping. 

Budha said that the construction of the bridge would help in boosting trade between the two countries and operation of customs service. 

After India did not give consent to build the bridge, a discussion was held as to whether the bridge could be built only in Nepali territory. However, it is not possible to build a bridge on the river only from Nepali territory, said Chaudhary. 

Meanwhile, discussions are underway to construct a suspension bridge at the Ghat after the failure to obtain consent from India for a motorable bridge.