The Government of Nepal and the World Bank have launched a $128 million (NRs. 17.15 billion) initiative called the Provincial and Local Roads Improvement Program-Phase 1. This project aims to enhance Nepal’s road infrastructure by improving connectivity, efficiency, resilience, and safety. It will also help strengthen the government’s capacity to manage the road network. The Ministry of Urban Development will oversee the project, collaborating with provincial and local governments.
The project, inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, focuses on sustainable infrastructure development, using environmentally-friendly and climate-resilient construction techniques. It also includes a five-year maintenance component to ensure the longevity of the roads.
In its first phase, the program will upgrade and improve 180 km of provincial roads and bridges, maintain 400 km of existing roads, and construct 100 km of all-weather roads to connect prioritized municipalities and local areas. This initiative will benefit around one million people in Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Madhesh provinces and 13 municipalities, ensuring safer and more resilient roads.
The project will incorporate several innovative strategies, such as performance-based maintenance, self-help groups for routine road maintenance, community-led infrastructure projects, and pilot testing alternative rural transport solutions. A tri-partite memorandum of understanding was signed among the federal, provincial, and local governments of the three provinces to ensure the program’s success.
