Govt implementing economic triangle project linking Butwal, Pokhara, Bharatpur

KATHMANDU: The government is implementing the Gandaki Economic Triangle Project, linking Bharatpur, Pokhara, and Butwal cities in the next fiscal year.

Presenting the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for the fiscal year 2024/25 in a joint session of the federal parliament on Tuesday, Minister for Finance Barsha Man Pun said the economic triangle project will be implemented as a model development initiative following the integrated development concept.

“Under this project, an industrial ‘ecosystem’ will be developed in partnership with the private sector to drive industrial revival and create quality employment,” Minister Pun said.

According to Pun, the construction of the Narayangadh-Butwal and Muglin-Pokhara road sections, which fall under the Gandaki Economic Triangle Project, will be completed in the coming fiscal year. “The Butwal-Pokhara road will be expanded to a dedicated two-lane highway. A necessary transportation network for industrial development will be developed in all three corridors of the triangle,” he added.

Under the Economic Triangle Project, the Narayangadh-Butwal road section will be developed as a center for construction materials and heavy industries, while the Muglin-Pokhara section will serve as a center for agriculture and food processing industries, and the Pokhara-Butwal section as a center for electrical equipment, footwear, textiles, carpets, household goods, and related service industries.

Necessary infrastructure will be developed in collaboration with the private sector for ecotourism, rafting and specialized health services in Bharatpur; adventure tourism services and research-based higher education in Pokhara; and religious tourism, data centers, and information technology institutions in Butwal.

According to Pun, Rs 2 billion has been allocated to develop and implement this project as a model of public-private partnership.

Likewise, the government has said that necessary initiatives will be taken to develop areas along the Nijgadh-Dhalkewar section of the East-West Highway as the Nepali Hand-knotted Carpet Corridor. Public entities will be required to purchase Nepali cotton.

“In collaboration with the provincial and local governments, the areas around the Sharada River in Rukum and Salyan will be developed as an agricultural corridor, the areas around the Hima River and Tila River in Jumla as a Marsi Paddy Corridor, and the areas around the Kolbi-Simraunagadh road in Bara as a Fish Corridor.”