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Margin loan investment by banks and financial institutions surged significantly in the fiscal year 2024/25, led by commercial banks. According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), total margin loan exposure reached Rs 140.7bn by the end of mid-July 2025, compared to Rs 90.09bn a year earlier. This represents an increase of Rs 50bn (56.17 percent) over the previous fiscal year.

While finance companies and development banks posted moderate growth, commercial banks accounted for a lion’s share of the expansion. Finance companies increased their margin loan portfolio by only 4.27 percent, from Rs 4.15bn to Rs 4.35bn, while development banks saw their margin loan exposure go up by 25.31 percent, from Rs 15.59bn to Rs 19.54bn. In contrast, commercial banks expanded their investment by a whopping 66.05 percent. Margin loan exposure of commercial banks expanded from Rs 70.03bn in mid-July 2024 to Rs 116.8bn in mid-July 2025.

In terms of portfolio, Nabil Bank has the largest margin loan exposure at Rs 16.76bn followed by Global IME Bank (Rs 12.3bn) and Kumari Bank (Rs 10.43bn). Similarly, in terms of growth, Machhapuchchhre Bank recorded the sharpest growth in margin loans with its portfolio expanding by 442.10 percent. The bank’s total margin loans increased from Rs 460m to Rs 2.53bn during the period. Similarly, Nepal SBI Bank’s margin loans grew by 207.15 percent to Rs 610m, up from Rs 200m a year earlier.

Agriculture Development Bank (192.66 percent), NMB Bank (144 percent), Laxmi Sunrise Bank (143 percent) and Kumari Bank (138.41 percent) also saw significant expansion in their margin loan portfolio during the period. Market analysts say improved investor confidence in the stock market  is the main reason behind expansion in margin lending portfolios of banks. Since return from the stock market is higher than interest rates offered by banks, investors are availing themselves of cheaper loans and investing in stocks, one analyst said. 

It has been 15 years since the Koshi Barrage, built on the Saptakoshi River, outlived its designated lifespan. Yet, despite the expiry of the 56-gate barrage, neither the Nepal nor Indian governments have shown serious interest in its reconstruction. The Saptakoshi Barrage remains the only physical link between Koshi Province and Madhes Province. It was constructed under the 1954 bilateral Koshi Agreement, signed with the aim of providing irrigation, hydroelectricity, and flood control to farmers in Sunsari, Morang, and Saptari districts of Nepal and the Indian state of Bihar. However, no alternative has been sought even after its expiry.

Although the barrage has undergone periodic repairs, it has become dilapidated. The 66-year-old structure shakes alarmingly when vehicles cross, raising widespread concerns about safety, maintenance, and long-term reliability.

Construction of the barrage began on 30 April 1959, after King Mahendra of Nepal and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid its foundation stone. It was inaugurated on 24 April 1965, by then King Mahendra and then Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. After its completion, canals were built in Sunsari, Morang, Saptari, and Bihar, boosting agricultural productivity and facilitating transportation, including the East-West Mahendra Highway. However, because the barrage gates are under Indian control and opened at India’s discretion, more than 10,000 residents of Sunsari, Morang, and Saptari have been displaced over the years by sudden floods.

The barrage is often hailed as a historic milestone in Nepal-India relations, but its agreed lifespan of 

about 50 years has long expired. “The expired Koshi Barrage could cause accidents at any time. Both governments must act urgently,” said Rajan Rai, former Minister of Social Development of Koshi Province.

By controlling the Koshi’s waters, the barrage has irrigated thousands of hectares of farmland in the eastern Tarai, increasing agricultural production and improving housing, roads, and overall living standards. But with its deteriorating condition and outdated technology, concerns about its safety and effectiveness are mounting. “The structure has aged, and its technology is obsolete. Both governments should begin planning for reconstruction,” said Rajan Mehta, head of the Sunsari District Coordination Committee.

The greatest threat is a potential collapse during heavy floods. “The main structures, including the sluice gates, embankments, and dam, were built with old materials and have not been upgraded with modern technology. Lack of regular maintenance has left them highly vulnerable,” said Gopal Koirala, former Land Acquisition Officer of the Sunsari-Morang Irrigation Project. He warned that failure of the barrage could unleash uncontrolled water, inundating farmland and damaging homes, roads, and bridges.

Provincial authorities also recognize the urgency. “Repair, modernization, and eventual reconstruction are indispensable. On behalf of Koshi Province, we will request the federal government to coordinate with India for its reconstruction,” said Bhupendra Rai, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development of Koshi Province.

Local communities, who suffer recurring floods, remain deeply worried. “If the barrage collapses, floods will destroy homes, fields, schools, and roads. Victims already face hardship, and the Indian government has not provided relief or compensation as promised under the Koshi Agreement,” said Baburam Karki, secretary of the Koshi Victims’ Struggle Committee.

Similarly, Nawal Kishore Sah, Member of Parliament from Saptari Constituency-1, said the Indian Embassy has repeatedly urged New Delhi to rebuild the barrage, but the requests have gone unheard. “The issue must be raised at the highest political level, including during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to India,” he said.

The price of gold reached an all-time high in the domestic market on Friday, setting a new historical record.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Traders, the price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 200 per tola to reach Rs 200, 600 per tola today.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 2, 360 per tola.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 38. 10 points to close at 2, 781. 00 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 5. 74 points to close at 477. 68 points.

A total of 17,891,917-unit shares of 322 companies were traded for Rs 8. 09 billion.

Meanwhile, Bikash Hydropower Company Limited (BHCL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Oriental Hotels Limited (OHL) the top loser as its price fell by 4. 71 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 64 trillion.