India connectivity dominates Nepal border poll pitch; roads, bridges drive campaigning

Pithoragarh: Connectivity with India has taken centre stage in Nepal's border districts ahead of polling for the lower house of Parliament on March 5, with political parties promising to strengthen cross-border roads, bridges and trade infrastructure in regions heavily dependent on Indian routes for daily movement and commerce.Nepal shares a nearly 275-km border with Uttarakhand. Four Nepali districts — Darchula, Baitadi, Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur — adjoin Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar. Together, these four districts account for six parliamentary constituencies, including three in Kanchanpur and one each in the remaining districts.
In Kanchanpur, the Mahakali corridor has become a focal point of campaigning. The road begins at Mahendranagar and extends to Tinkar near the China border. Laxman Tiwari, a resident of Mahendranagar, said, "The Mahakali corridor is the biggest issue here. Nepal calls it a three-nation road linking Nepal with India and China." He added that the project has figured prominently in the campaigns of Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (UML), Communist Party of Nepal and Rastriya Swatantra Party.The proposed dry port at Chandni Dodhara in Kanchanpur has also gained political traction. The project was proposed in 2016 when then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda' was in office, and a connecting road from Banbasa in India to Chandni Dodhara in Nepal is under construction. Kishor Joshi, a resident of Mahendranagar, said, "All political parties are assuring voters that the dry port project will start soon."In Baitadi, construction of a motorable bridge at Jhulaghat on the Kali river has dominated campaign discourse. Bhagirath Awasthi said the bridge would connect Baitadi with Jhulaghat in India and facilitate trade and travel. "Damodar Bhandari won the 2022 election on the promise of this bridge, and he is again assuring voters that he will fulfil the commitment," he added.Candidates in Darchula have focused on the Baluakot motorable bridge, which is nearing completion. Kamal Joshi said, "All candidates are saying they will start the Baluakot bridge very soon." He added that the bridge was likely to become operational this year, with leaders keen to claim credit for the project.In Dadeldhura, a proposed motorable bridge at Khaldhunga at Chuka in India on the Kali river has also featured prominently in campaign speeches. Candidates have pledged to expedite the project if elected, underscoring how cross-border infrastructure has emerged as a decisive electoral issue across Nepal's western border belt.