Koshi Province Development Plan Includes ‘Capable Daughter’ Program and Kachankawal-Sagarmatha Road Project
The Koshi Province government has announced its policy and program for fiscal year 2083/84, setting a goal to make tourism a major pillar of the provincial economy. The government declared the establishment of the Four-Dham Circuit by linking Barah area of Sunsari, Pindeshwor, Dantikali, and Vishnupaduka. A policy has been formulated to coordinate with the federal government to develop Biratnagar Airport as a regional international airport. (7 Jestha, Biratnagar). The Koshi Province government unveiled its policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84. Provincial Chief Parshuram Khapung presented the plan at the Province Assembly meeting on Thursday. The government aims to position tourism as the main foundation of the province’s economy. To this end, the two years from Shrawan 2083 to Ashad 2085 will be celebrated as the ‘Koshi Province Tourism Year.’ The current fiscal year was also declared a tourism year by the provincial government, but its implementation showed weaknesses.
The provincial government announced the formation of the Four-Dham Circuit by connecting Barah area of Sunsari, Pindeshwor, Dantikali, and Vishnupaduka. In infrastructure development, Koshi Province has prioritized the feasibility of rail and tunnel routes. Policies include studying the potential for railway line from Chatara in Sunsari to Chaurikhark, a multi-purpose Tamor-Leuti tunnel, and the Kachankawal–Sagarmatha expressway. Kachankawal is the lowest point in Nepal. The study of road infrastructure, rail, and tunnel routes from Nepal’s lowest point to the world’s highest point will be conducted in coordination with the federal government. The provincial government plans to highlight and beautify the infrastructure it develops by introducing distinct standard colors and signage for this purpose.
The government has decided to advance the ‘Capable Daughter’ program aimed at girls from communities with low literacy rates. A policy is also in place to expand the ‘Adolescent Empowerment and Self-Defense’ campaign at the local level. This initiative aims to increase educational access for girls from marginalized communities with low literacy rates. To attract students to technical education, a ‘Learn and Earn’ program based on experimental practice will be implemented. Under the ‘Bright City’ program, solar street lights will be installed in major highway towns with local government participation. The government has prioritized the reconstruction of the provincial assembly and ministry buildings damaged by vandalism and arson on Bhadra 23 and 24.
The government has formulated a policy to coordinate with the federal government to develop Biratnagar Airport as a regional international airport. In addition, there is a target to initiate inter-provincial air services connecting Pokhara in Gandaki Province and Bhairahawa in Lumbini Province from Koshi Province. The government also plans to encourage domestic and mountain flights within the province. Manmohan Technical University under the province will be developed as a research center. The process to start medical education programs in Dhankuta will move forward. An international tea conference will be organized to promote export of Koshi Province’s signature products, tea and cardamom. To attract youth to agriculture, local production will be encouraged to achieve self-reliance in imported vegetables like onion, garlic, potato, and tomato. Strengthening the interrelationship between federal, provincial, and local levels through an active Provincial Coordination Council and Administrative Coordination Council has been prioritized by the Chief Minister. This is expected to make the planning and project implementation more effective.