Indian Embassy and Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Department of Roads, Division Road Office Janakpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 July 2014 for providing Indian grant assistance of NRs. 44.48 million for the construction of a 5 km blacktopped road in Sarlahi District under Nepal-India Economic Cooperation Program.

The present Gadhiya – Balara – Lakshmipur road in Sarlahi District, connecting the Indo – Nepal Border, is in a dilapidated condition leading to huge problems to the daily commuters. Upgradation of road from earthen to blacktopped standard will benefit about 50,000 people of the district by providing quality road network, improving the civic services in the district and also creating improved linkages between the border markets of Nepal and India, which will further reinforce economic ties between the two countries.

The project will be implemented by the Department of Roads, Division Road Office, Janakpur in accordance with the existing norms and regulations of the Government of Nepal. They will also be responsible for ensuring the quality of construction of the project and its timely completion. The MoU stipulates the constitution of an Oversight Committee with a view to ensuring the implementation of the project in a time bound manner.

According to a press release of Indian Embassy, in addition to this project, six projects in Sarlahi District have already been completed with Indian assistance of NRs. 75.5 million, while work is ongoing on eight projects at a cost of NRs. 228.1 million which includes school buildings, river training works, electrification of villages and construction of culverts and drainage. India has also provided seventeen ambulances and one school bus for use in the District.

Recognizing the importance of accelerating growth in Nepal, India remains committed to rendering all possible assistance in that direction. The India – Nepal Economic Programme has an outlay of over NRs. 65 billion with more than 490 large and small development projects completed or currently being implemented in almost all the districts of Nepal. These development projects mainly in the sectors of education, health and infrastructure development have been undertaken in response to local needs, and in partnership with the Government of