Published 13:09 IST, September 10th 2019
India-Nepal Development Projects Strengthen the Economic Ties
India and Nepal have undertaken many development projects that has led to stronger economic ties between the two nation, recent oil pipeline is an example.
Nepal is an important neighbour of India that share geographic, historical, cultural and economic ties that date back to centuries. There have been several developmental projects carried out by both the countries in sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, telecommunications, transport, culture, education etc. These projects have strengthened the relationship as well as the economic development in both the nations. The Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline project is the most recent one that was inaugurated on Tuesday by the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal.
Projects Undertaken By India-Nepal
In 2017, Nepal inaugurated a Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) bridge built with India's financial assistance on Kaligandaki river near China border. This bridge has replaced an old suspension bridge present earlier that could not be used by any motorist leading them to cross the bridge and use a different vehicle. India is also funding the upgradation of a road from Dakshanikali in Kathmandu to Kulekhani in Makwanpur. Additional funding will be given to work on drainage, land sliding, slope stabilization, etc. in Nepal. Government of India has also constructed 807 km road out of the total length of 1024 km of the East-West Highway from Mahendranagar to Mechi aiding Nepal.
PM Modi had signed an agreement with Nepal to build a 900 megawatt Arun 3 dam on Arun River in Sankhuwasabha District of Eastern Nepal. The government has approved Rs 1,236.13 crore investment proposal for the transmission component in the Hydro Electric Project which will strengthen India's economic linkages with Nepal.
Motihari-Amlekhgunj Oil Pipeline Project
Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi and PM KP Sharma Oli of Nepal on Tuesday which is the first-ever cross-border petroleum link in South Asia. This project will help Nepal in meeting its energy demands and will also help reduce the cost of fuel transportation. The pipeline is over 60 km long and will be used to transport diesel from Motihari city in Bihar in the first phase. The current transportation situation of petroleum products involves tankers from India going to Nepal which has been in place since 1973. The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) hopes to save approximately Rs 2 billion annually in the transportation of petroleum products.
Updated 17:07 IST, September 10th 2019