Finance Minister Presents Budget Prioritizing Koshi Province Infrastructure, Energy, and Sports

Biratnagar. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle, while presenting the budget for the fiscal year in the Federal Parliament on Friday, has given special priority to the infrastructure, energy, and sports sectors of Koshi Province.

The budget includes ambitious plans ranging from the construction of the Koshi Corridor to large hydropower projects and sports infrastructure construction.

The budget has announced the acceleration of the construction work of the Koshi Corridor. The Finance Minister stated that 15 kilometers of the said corridor will be blacktopped within this fiscal year. Similarly, the necessary budget has been allocated for the construction of the Bathnaha-Biratnagar railway line connecting with India.

The government has prioritized projects based on the Arun River to develop Koshi Province as an energy hub.

It is mentioned in the budget that the source will be ensured for the semi-reservoir Upper Arun Hydropower Project. Furthermore, feasibility study of Arun 4 Hydropower Project will be conducted, and the government has adopted a policy of facilitating the development of the under-construction Arun 3 and Lower Arun projects.

Under urban management, programs for integrated waste management, drinking water, and sewage management have been introduced in major cities. Specifically, a sewage treatment plant will be constructed in Khandbari of Sankhuwasabha. Similarly, it has been announced that 100 housing buildings will be constructed for the poor and targeted groups in Mechinagar of Jhapa.

Large infrastructure plans have been put forward for the development of sports in Koshi Province. An indoor multipurpose stadium with a capacity of 2,000 spectators will be constructed in Biratnagar.

Additionally, budget has been allocated to advance the process of constructing a modern cricket stadium and Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium in Biratnagar.