Motorable bridge connecting Nepal, India built in Darchula

By Gokarana  Dayal,Baitadi, Dec. 3: The construction of a 110-metre-long motorable bridge connecting Nepal and India has been completed at Asigada in Darchula district. 

This bridge becomes the second motorable checkpoint linking the Nepal-India border after Kanchanpur. The Indian side carried out the construction.

The bridge connects Asigada, Mahakali Municipality-8 in Darchula, with the Chharchhum area near Baluwakot, Dharchula Tehsil, in India’s Pithoragarh district. The construction was completed in mid-November by the Indian company P and R Infra Project Limited Panja.

Indian journalist Surendra Arya revealed that the total cost of the project is IC 329.8 million. The bridge is expected to boost religious tourism and business activities between the two nations.

Following the completion, efforts to upgrade a 150-metre stretch of road on the Nepali side are currently underway, according to Darchula’s Chief District Officer Yagyaraj Joshi.

He added that the bridge would be inaugurated jointly by high-ranking officials from both countries before it becomes operational. Additionally, security posts will soon be established on both sides of the bridge.

This infrastructure will allow convenient travel from Dharchula in India to New Delhi via Pithoragarh, Haldwani and Tanakpur. 

Similarly, Indian tourists can now access destinations in Nepal such as Malikarjun Dham in Darchula, Api Nampa and Tripura Sundari in Baitadi.

Delays in Jhulaghat Motorway Bridge Project Meanwhile, discussions regarding the Jhulaghat Motorway Bridge in Baitadi, another potential link between Nepal and India, appear to have stalled. 

Despite a prior agreement between former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, no progress has been made on its construction.

Promises for the bridge’s swift development were made during the last federal elections by leaders including UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Prachanda. 

Though the Jhulaghat Bridge is also planned with Indian investment, journalist Surendra Arya noted that no follow-up teams have been sent since an Indian inspection was conducted three years ago.