The Mahakali Corridor considered a cornerstone of Sudurpashchim Province’s economic prosperity, stretches from Brahmadev in Kanchanpur to Tinkar in Darchula, passing through Jhula Ghat in Baitadi. Spanning 425 kilometers, the road connects the districts of Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura, Baitadi, and Darchula.
Upon completion, the corridor is expected to directly benefit approximately 800,000 residents in the region. Additionally, it is anticipated to facilitate easier travel to Kailash Mansarovar in China. The Mahakali Corridor, starting from Brahmadev in Kanchanpur, will provide the shortest route to the revered pilgrimage site.
Sudurpashchim is known as a “Land of the Gods” due to its religious significance. The corridor will link major religious sites, including Siddha Vaijnath Dham in Kanchanpur, Parshuram Dham in Dadeldhura, Tripura Sundari Temple in Baitadi, and Malikarjun Dham in Darchula, making the journey to Kailash Mansarovar more accessible. The track to Parshuram Dham in Dadeldhura is already operational.
The corridor is also expected to boost religious tourism. According to Jang Bahadur Malla, a central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the corridor will enhance not only trade but also spiritual tourism, connecting Kanchanpur to India and Darchula to China. “With the corridor linking Kanchanpur to India and Darchula to China, the number of religious tourists is expected to rise,” Malla remarked. He added that the road will attract international tourists visiting Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Himachal Pradesh in India, providing them a route to Kailash Mansarovar.
The Mahakali Corridor will also simplify access from Shuklaphanta National Park to Api Himal in Darchula, allowing tourists to explore the region’s natural and religious sites. The construction of this road will open the door for increased trade with China, further supporting the province’s development.
The corridor will not only promote religious tourism but also draw tourists to other nearby attractions, such as Asia’s longest suspension bridge at Dodhara Chandani. Gorakh Bahadur Chand, the chairperson of Pancheshwar Rural Municipality in Baitadi, believes that the corridor will increase both domestic and international tourism, highlighting nearby religious sites like the Tripura Sundari Bhagwati Temple and Devdatal.
Despite the corridor’s immense potential, progress has been slow. Construction began more than 15 years ago, and the province has lagged in development. Only 242 kilometers of the 334-kilometer track have been completed by the Mahakali Corridor Road Project Office so far.
The project’s completion is crucial for the development of Darchula, as noted by Binod Budhathoki from Tinkar. He emphasized that the corridor will reduce the travel time to Kailash Mansarovar to just half a day. “With the corridor, pilgrims could visit Kailash Mansarovar and return in a single day, significantly boosting religious tourism. Completing the corridor is essential for this,” he stated.
In a related effort, the government is planning to establish an immigration office in Tinkar, according to Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. The corridor is being considered for expansion into a tri-national border point, facilitating trade and religious exchanges with India and China. “Discussions are ongoing to develop this area into a tri-national border point for trade, industry, and tourism purposes,” said Minister Lekhak.
The Mahakali Corridor project commenced in 2009, with the Nepali Army currently constructing 79 kilometers of the road. The remaining 334 kilometers, under the Mahakali Highway Project Office, have seen only partial progress, with 11 kilometers from Brahmadev to Parshuram now operational. The project holds immense potential for enhancing trade, religious tourism, and economic growth in Sudurpashchim Province.
