Cross-Border Infrastructure Takes Center Stage in Nepal's Upcoming Parliamentary Elections
As Nepal prepares for crucial lower house parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, connectivity with India has emerged as the dominant political issue in border districts. Political parties across the spectrum are making ambitious promises to strengthen cross-border roads, bridges, and trade infrastructure in regions that depend heavily on Indian routes for daily movement and economic activity.
The Strategic Border Geography
Nepal shares an extensive approximately 275-kilometer border with India's Uttarakhand state. Four Nepali districts—Darchula, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, and Kanchanpur—directly adjoin Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar districts on the Indian side. These four Nepali districts collectively represent six parliamentary constituencies, with Kanchanpur containing three seats and the remaining districts each holding one constituency.
Mahakali Corridor: The Campaign Focal Point
In Kanchanpur district, the proposed Mahakali corridor has become the primary focus of election campaigning. This ambitious road project begins at Mahendranagar and extends to Tinkar near the China border. "The Mahakali corridor is unquestionably the biggest issue here," stated Laxman Tiwari, a resident of Mahendranagar. "Nepal envisions this as a three-nation road that will link Nepal with both India and China." Tiwari confirmed that this infrastructure project has featured prominently in campaign promises from major political parties including the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (UML), Communist Party of Nepal, and Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Dry Port Project Gains Political Momentum
The proposed dry port at Chandni Dodhara in Kanchanpur district has also captured significant political attention. Originally proposed in 2016 during former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda's' administration, this project includes a connecting road currently under construction from Banbasa in India to Chandni Dodhara in Nepal. Kishor Joshi, another Mahendranagar resident, observed, "Every political party is assuring voters that the dry port project will commence operations soon, recognizing its importance for regional trade."
Bridge Projects Dominate District Campaigns
In Baitadi district, campaign discourse has centered on constructing a motorable bridge at Jhulaghat on the Kali river. Bhagirath Awasthi explained that this bridge would directly connect Baitadi with Jhulaghat in India, significantly facilitating trade and travel between the two regions. "Damodar Bhandari won the 2022 election primarily on his promise to build this bridge, and he is now renewing his commitment to voters," Awasthi added, highlighting how infrastructure promises translate directly into electoral outcomes.
Meanwhile, candidates in Darchula district have focused their campaigns on the nearly completed Baluakot motorable bridge. Kamal Joshi reported, "All candidates are emphasizing that they will ensure the Baluakot bridge becomes operational very soon." He noted that with the bridge likely to become functional this year, political leaders are particularly keen to claim credit for this achievement during the election season.
Cross-Border Infrastructure as Decisive Electoral Issue
In Dadeldhura district, a proposed motorable bridge at Khaldhunga at Chuka in India on the Kali river has similarly featured in prominent campaign speeches. Candidates have pledged to expedite this project if elected, underscoring how cross-border infrastructure has transformed into a decisive electoral issue across Nepal's entire western border belt. The consistent emphasis on India-linked connectivity projects reveals how deeply integrated these border districts are with Indian infrastructure networks for their economic survival and daily mobility needs.
As election day approaches, voters in these border regions are carefully evaluating which political parties and candidates can best deliver on these critical infrastructure promises that directly impact their livelihoods and regional development prospects.
