Plans are afoot for building a mega bridge project that will provide direct connectivity between Nepal and India, official sources said that the bridge will span the Mechi River and will connect India’s Panitanki Bypass with Nepal’s East West Highway. The project was the subject of negotiations between the two neighboring countries and now the project has been put on fast track following the successful conclusions of protracted negotiations. The aim of the project is to boost trade and transport between the two nations. Construction of the 1.5 km bridge link is expected to cost $24.8 million, with a loan from the Asian Development Bank providing the funding, which is necessary for meeting the construction requirements.