Government Prioritizes Madhes Province as Hub for Production, Industry, and Infrastructure in Budget 2083/84

Janakpurdham. The government has put forward a long-term strategy to make Madhes Province a 'center for production, industry, and infrastructure' through the budget for the fiscal year 2083/84.

The budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle in a joint session of the Federal Parliament, prioritizes balanced regional development, agricultural revival, industrialization, and creating an investment-friendly environment.

The government has allocated Rs 2.5 billion for the construction of 280 drinking water projects to address the drinking water shortage in the Terai-Madhes region. It is mentioned that drinking water systems with 'deep boring' will be developed at the community level to solve the drinking water crisis seen during the dry season in Terai-Madhes. An arsenic-free Terai campaign will also be launched.

Rs 2.34 billion has been set aside for drinking water and sewage construction and treatment in Birgunj city. It is expected that rural settlements in all eight districts of Madhes Province - Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Siraha, and Saptari - will directly benefit from this program.

A 'Middle-Madhes Quadrangle Development Program' focused on agriculture and industry will be advanced, based on the 122,000 hectares of land to be irrigated by the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project.

The government's goal is to develop the Madhes region as a major center for production, processing, and industrial activities by completing the remaining work of expanding the Hulaki Highway and East-West Highway.

The government's policy to develop rural and semi-urban areas with economic potential as 'growth poles' and 'quads' is also included in the budget.

The government has made necessary budget arrangements to expand smart technology-based underground irrigation systems in Dhanusha and Sarlahi districts. Rs 1.83 billion has been allocated for this program. The government expects this to provide irrigation facilities to arable land throughout the year and significantly increase agricultural production.

As part of the strategy to link agricultural production with industry, the establishment of a mango processing center in Siraha and a tomato processing center in Sarlahi has been announced. Through these centers, it is expected to ensure markets for local farmers' produce and add value to agricultural products.

The Hulaki Highway is announced to be completed within the next three years. Roads in densely populated areas will be widened, and eight road bridges will be completed. Rs 4.65 billion has been allocated for the construction of the Hulaki Highway. The Hulaki Highway is expected to directly impact economic and trade activities in the Terai districts from Saptari to Parsa.

The East-West Highway is targeted to be expanded to four lanes within the next three years. Rs 37.46 billion has been allocated for this project in the upcoming fiscal year. It is expected that the expansion of the highway section within the districts of Madhes Province will accelerate transportation, trade, and industrial activities.

The government has allocated Rs 17.64 billion for the Kathmandu-Terai Madhes Expressway (Fast Track) project in the upcoming fiscal year. 40 bridges and 5.4 kilometers of tunnels will be completed next year.

The physical progress of the expressway, construction of which began under the management of the Nepali Army in 2074 BS, has reached 48 percent so far.

The government has once again prioritized the construction of Nijgadh International Airport in Bara. The 'modality' for the airport construction will be finalized within the next six months.

Once Nijgadh Airport becomes operational, Madhes Province is expected to become a major center for international trade, tourism, and investment. The government has announced the expansion of the railway line from Bardibas in Mahottari to Nijgadh in Bara.

It is believed that the railway line will connect Mahottari, Sarlahi, and Bara districts to the national railway network and support the development of industrial corridors. Additionally, a budget has been allocated to complete the remaining work of the Janakpur-Jayanagar-Bardibas railway line.

The government has announced that it will proceed with the necessary procedures to get Janakpurdham listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The government's goal is to develop Janakpurdham as an international center for religious-cultural tourism.

Furthermore, a special budget has been allocated for the development and branding of Janakpur as a 'wedding destination', and for the upgrading of Ram Janaki Path and Parikrama Road. The plan includes the conservation, 'digitalization', and marketing of local customs, traditions, and traditional knowledge.

The promotion of a provincial tourist corridor encompassing Sakhada-Dhanusha Dham-Gadhimai is mentioned in the budget. For customs and administrative facilitation, the budget mentions automating and simplifying the system of declaring goods brought from abroad for wedding purposes, taking a deposit, and returning the deposit upon departure after the wedding to encourage marital tourism.

The government has continued the child nutrition allowance program in 25 districts, including Madhes, where the human development index is weak. The nutrition allowance for Dalit children has been doubled to Rs 1,000 per month.

Similarly, the budget prioritizes expanding the scope of health insurance, the campaign to enroll workers in the social security system, and programs to expand access to clean drinking water.

Health and Social Security: To improve health services in Madhes Province, priority has been given to the infrastructure development of Narayani Hospital in Parsa, Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital in Saptari, and Ram Raja Prasad Singh Health Science Institute. A kidney treatment center and a trauma center will be constructed in Madhes Province.