KATHMANDU, Dec 6: Nepal, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh have agreed to enhance transport infrastructure, including strengthening railway connectivity from Birgunj to Rohanpur of Dhaka that is expected to boost sub-regional trade.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) expressed commitment to support these South Asian neighbors in enhancing their transport infrastructure at a working group meeting of the four nations on Transport Connectivity in North East South Asia held in Dhaka on December 1-2.
The meeting was aimed at facilitating regional priority projects over multiple countries, besides continuing support to national projects which have regional significance.
The four countries will receive ADB assistance in high priority regional projects mainly in the sector of roads, railways, inland waterway and civil aviation as per the need of the nations. They will get ADB support under the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) initiated in 2001 to boost economic cooperation in the region.
A highly placed source at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) said ADB has agreed to carryout feasibility study for structural expansion and trade facilitation along the Kakadbhitta-Panitanki-Phulbari-Banglabanda route, which is of strategic significance for trade between Nepal and Bangladesh, within fiscal year 2011/12.
“The ADB has also agreed to complete necessary physical infrastructure along the route by July, 2013/14. Opportunities and regional development will be enhanced with the improved transport connectivity,” the source told Republica on Sunday.
During the meeting, India and Bangladesh agreed to remove any obstacle that might emerge while upgrading Birgunj-Raxaul-Sihabad-Rohanpur railway so as to ensure free flow of goods among four countries.
The four countries have also agreed to develop new trade corridors in respective countries and the Manilad-based multilateral donor has agreed to extend technical support to conduct feasibility study for identification of the corridors.
“At the meeting, we suggested to develop a corridor in the western part of Nepal,” the source added.
In the meeting, the four countries also agreed to improve and upgrade the Kathmandu-Naubise-Mugling-Narayanghat corridor highway and bridges along Pathlaiya-Dhalekebar section of East-West highway by 2015. Feasibility study for the project will complete by 2011/12. Similarly, upgrading of Chandragadhi Airport and Janakpur Airport by 2015 is also included in the program to be assisted by the ADB.
The ADB has also agreed to provide technical support for timely update on status of all physical and soft infrastructure gaps to complete the regional networks and improve transport efficiency; undertake feasibility studies of other regional projects as required in roads, railways, inland waterways, ports and civil aviation; and facilitate ongoing country and multi-country efforts to enhance regional connectivity.
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