The budget being allocated for the transport sector is 31.47 percent more compared to Rs 28.27 billion in the current fiscal year. The finance minister could not present the budget on Thursday amid political disputes; however, if the budget figures are not changed, Terai’s Postal Roads project will get Rs 4.98 billion for the construction of road and bridges. The amount being allocated for these Postal Roads linking Jhapa with Kanchanpur is more than double than the budget allocated for the current fiscal year.
The government for the current fiscal year had allocated Rs 2.18 billion. Similarly, the budget for Mid-Hills Highway will also be increased to Rs 1.75 billion from current fiscal year’s Rs 1.27 billion. The government aims at completing the track opening, upgrading tracks already opened and starting blacktopping of Ghurmi-Khurkot and Baglung-Burtibang section of the highway.
In the budget, the government has proposed to carry out a feasibility study for the construction of an alternative road linking Sindhupalchwok-Nuwakot-Dhadhing-Gorkha-Lamjung-Kaski. This road link is expected to reduce traffic congestions in the Kathmandu Valley and decrease the length of the Mid-Hill Highway. Form the next fiscal year, the government is planning to intensify work on construction of the North-South link roads and come up with a provision to link these roads with the Postal Road. Under the North-South roads, Chaipur-Taplakot, Sirdibas-Chumchet-Chekampar and Jiri-Salleri roads will get high priority. Construction of Sybrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road will be completed within the next fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works.
The budget also plans to complete the track opening of the much-talked about Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track road by the end of the next fiscal year. Of the total 76 km of the fast track, Nepal Army has completed track opening work of around 30 km so far. The source said the government is allocating budget for developing Ghorahi Municipality as a modern city. Limi-Lapcha-Simikot, Ghamgadi-Nyakche Lagma, Dolpa-Marim and Jajarkot-Dunai roads’ track opening work will be intensified to connect all districts with road networks. “The government form the next fiscal year will start the construction of Biratnagar-Kimathanka Highway and Mustang-Dolpa road,” added the source.
For the smooth movement of vehicles by reducing traffic congestions, the government in the next fiscal year will also start the construction of a tunnel road from Nagdunga to Naubese and from Bhimphedi to Hetauda. It has also been proposed to initiate the construction of Sitapaila-Dharke road section.
Witnessing increased traffic movements, the government in the next fiscal year plans to upgrade entry roads to the Kathmandu Valley and other major cities of the country. Similarly, work on construction of fly over bridges in Kathmandu will be intensified.
Amid rampant irregularities by contractors, the government will set a standard for construction and maintenance of the central, regional and district level roads and bridges. Technical tests, monitoring and evaluation of ongoing projects will be made more effective to check negligence on infrastructure development related work. “The government will also formulate a provision to make contractors liable for compensation if infrastructures they have developed are damaged earlier than the fixed period,” said the source. Similarly, for undertaking work related to big infrastructure projects effectively, the government will also make a provision of a separate institution for making quick decisions.
The government has proposed Rs 3.10 billion for the maintenance of urban roads. Rs 2 billion has been proposed for the construction of bridges along highways and roads linking district headquarters.
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