Biratnagar

Biratnagar (Nepali: विराटनगर) is a metropolitan city in Nepal, which serves as the capital of Koshi Province. With a Metropolitan Urban Agglomeration population of 244,750 as per the 2021 census, it is the largest city and fastest growing city in the province and also the headquarters of Morang district. As per the preliminary report of 2022 Nepal census, Biratnagar Metropolitan has an estimated city population of 243,927 excluding the suburban areas which are now very well connected to the old town. It is the administrative center of the Greater Birat Development Area which incorporates the cities of Biratnagar and its suburbs and towns of-Itahari-Gothgau-Biratchowk-Dharan primarily located on the Koshi Highway in Eastern Nepal, with an estimated total urban agglomerated population of 804,300 people in 159,332 households including the town of Ithari. Biratnagar is located 399 km (248 mi) east of the capital, Kathmandu, and 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the bordering town of Jogbani in the Indian state of Bihar which is very well connected through Rani Path (Old Highway) and Koshi Path (New Highway). It is one of the major entry point in Nepal for Businessmen as well as Tourists who come to visit Nepal for various purposes. A customs duty is required to be paid for Indian vehicles in Nepal and vice versa.

Biratnagar was declared a metropolitan city on 22 May 2017, a merger with additional wards pushing the total population to over 240,000. It is the sixth largest city of Nepal, with 244,750 inhabitants as per 2021 Nepal census.

The city is home to various large and medium scale industries including the Biratnagar Jute Mills, the first large-scale industry of Nepal. Besides being considered as the industrial capital of Nepal, the city has contributed actively to the Nepalese democracy movement by being the birthplace of five prime ministers of democratic Nepal. The latter claim is also evident from the fact that the first labor strike leading to the anti-Rana movement started from Biratnagar.

Modern-day Biratnagar serves as an entry point to eastern Nepal as well as north-eastern India. It is the second Nepalese city, after Janakpur, to have a connection with the Indian Railways and the only city other than Birgunj to operate an integrated check post (ICP) on the Indian border.