Gadkari assures 10 roads costing Rs 500cr under Indo-Nepal agreement

New Delhi [India]: Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Thursday assured that road projects are being implemented soon that will benefit both India and Nepal.

Speaking to ANI, Gadkari said, “10 roads are being developed at a cost of Rs 500 crore for constructing Rs 305/km stretches under Indo-Nepal agreement and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) which is executing these has opened its branch office in Kathmandu. We are implementing a number of road projects entailing Rs 5,253 crore investments that will benefit both the nations. The projects include a 300 km road from Kakarwaha to Varanasi entailing Rs 1,499 crore investments besides a Rs 1,338 crore project for linking Rupaidiha to Barabanki.”

Elaborating on the projects, Gadkari stated that a bridge is being constructed on river Mechi through which Kakarvitta in Nepal would be linked to Pani Tanki in West Bengal.

“Rs. 158 crore bridge is being constructed on river Mechi with assistance from ADB under which Kakarvitta in Nepal would be linked to Pani Tanki in West Bengal. This six-lane bridge will link Nepal with East West Corridor and ADB will provide Rs. 89.52 crore loan while the rest will be borne by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry. Another 144 km road will be completed by October this year to link Rupaidiha to Barabanki at a cost of Rs 1,338 crore under NHDP,” he said.

The Cabinet yesterday approved a MoU to be signed with Nepal for construction of a Rs 159-crore bridge on Mechi river at Indo- Nepal border. (ANI)