The construction of the dry port at Dodhara Chandani has gained momentum, with preparatory work advancing steadily. Executive Director of the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee, Ashish Gajurel, stated that construction activities are moving forward at the desired pace.
As part of site clearance, approximately 1,000 trees have already been felled in the Mayapuri Community Forest located in Dodhara Chandani Municipality-1. Gajurel confirmed that the remaining tree-felling is expected to be completed within this month, paving the way for full-scale construction. He noted that the Government of India, which is providing both financial and technical assistance for the project, has already selected a construction company.
The project stems from a memorandum of understanding signed between the governments of Nepal and India on 1 June 2023. The Indian side has allocated INR 2.543 billion for the construction and completed its bidding process.
The construction will officially commence once the Nepali authorities vacate and hand over the designated site to the Indian contractors. The dry port will be developed over 42.36 hectares of land and will include critical infrastructure such as two warehouse buildings, a customs inspection building, quarantine facilities, immigration services, and a security post.
Nepal has already completed the construction of a six-lane access road and a four-lane concrete bridge over the Mahakali River to facilitate connectivity to the port. On the Indian side, construction of the access road is also underway.
Once operational, the Dodhara Chandani dry port is expected to significantly boost trade and economic development in Nepal’s far-western Sudurpaschim region, strengthening cross-border connectivity and logistics.
