Work has begun on a new highway connecting India and Nepal, that would cut down the travelling distance between the two countries to just 76.2km.

The 22m-wide, four-lane, fast-track will stretch from Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu to the Indian border town of Birgunj and will include a 1.3km tunnel.

The new road would cut travel time between the two countries to just 90 minutes compared with the current five hours by the existing 200km highway from Rauxal. The new road will also link Nepal’s proposed second international airport in Bara district with Kathmandu.

The project being carried out at the initiative of the Nepalese Army, is expected to cost $706.66m. Work is expected to finish within the next three years.