A new Koshi River bridge 2.86 kilometres long has been proposed as an alternative to the ageing Koshi Barrage crossing, and officials say the plan would shorten the East-West Highway by about 14 kilometres. Meroauto reported on November 1, 2026 that the project is moving again after months of delay, though funding and environmental clearance are still not settled.
What happened
The proposed bridge would link Sunsari and Saptari districts about 10 kilometres north of the existing Koshi Barrage. It is part of a planned 46-kilometre four-lane road from Rajabas in Sunsari to Kanchanpur in Saptari, made up of 43.2 kilometres of road and the 2.86-kilometre bridge. The section is part of the government’s wider plan to widen the East-West Highway to four lanes.
The project had stalled because the alignment passes through the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, and the Ministry of Forests had not given permission to proceed with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). According to the report, the process is expected to move forward following interest from Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal.
Key details of the Koshi River bridge plan
- Length: 2.86 km bridge plus 43.2 km of four-lane road, 46 km in total.
- Route saving: about 14 km shorter than the current East-West Highway alignment.
- Old crossing: the Koshi Barrage was completed in 1962, began operating in 1965 and was designed for a 50-year life.
- Cost: earlier estimated at around Rs 43 billion, now Rs 50 billion to Rs 55 billion, according to Chudaraj Dhakal, director of the Department of Roads’ Project Directorate (ADB).
- Funding: the Asian Development Bank had shown interest earlier; officials are now looking at foreign partners, the government and the private sector, possibly under a Hybrid Annuity Model.
- Next step: talks with the Ministry of Forests and the wildlife reserve to restart the EIA.
Why it matters for homeowners in Nepal
The East-West Highway is the main supply line for cement, steel rods, bricks and other materials moving across the Terai. A shorter, four-lane route with a modern bridge can cut travel time for trucks, and lower transport time usually helps keep delivered material prices steadier in the eastern districts. It also means less dependence on a 60-year-old structure that is past its design life.
For families building in Sunsari, Saptari, Morang or nearby districts, better connectivity can raise land values along the new alignment over time. But this is still a proposal. Rising cost estimates, an unfinished EIA and no confirmed funding all mean the bridge is likely years away. Plans and prices you make today should be based on the roads that exist now.
The project also shows how large works in Nepal increasingly need to balance construction with nature. The Asian Development Bank recently backed highway upgrades with wildlife corridors elsewhere on the same highway, and a similar approach may be needed through Koshi Tappu.
What to do next
- Don’t buy land near the proposed alignment on the promise of the bridge alone; check that the route is final and funded.
- Budget for current transport costs when ordering materials in the eastern Terai.
- Estimate your total build cost early with our house construction cost calculator, and see our other construction calculators.
- Follow updates from the Department of Roads for EIA and tender news.
FAQ
Where will the new Koshi River bridge be built?
About 10 km north of the Koshi Barrage, connecting Sunsari and Saptari districts.
How much will it cost?
The current estimate is Rs 50 billion to Rs 55 billion for the road and bridge, up from about Rs 43 billion.
Why has the project been delayed?
The route passes through the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, and permission for the Environmental Impact Assessment had not been granted.
Has construction started?
No. The EIA and funding are still being discussed.
Source: Meroauto, November 1, 2026.