Kathmandu, May 12: National concern and coordination committee has decided to demand information with the concerned ministry and stakeholders relating to the status of four major pride projects and the challenges before their implementation.
Committee Chairperson Dilkumari Rawal shared that they would seek information with the ministry on Melamchi drinking water project, Budhigandaki hydropower project, Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhes expressway, and people’s housing program. Committee member Surendra Raj Pande said one of the national pride projects, Melamchi project, disrupted after the Italian contractor quit the project, has not gained pace because the government did not make any decision thereafter.
The project is desperately waiting for the government decision for acceleration, he added. Similarly, another member Jivan Bahadur Budha commented that the timeline of some pride projects and their performance seem a just a game for fun. “Projects begin so late in the mountainous region including Karnali, and budget implementation is also poor,” he complained.
The committee members made a presentation of the study reports on the current status and challenges of 21 national pride projects. Another member Khimlal Bhattarai shared that only 30 percent of Lumbini Development Perspective Plan was due for implementation and remaining works were estimated to cost around Rs 6 billion for the completion. He said, “The work relating to construction of the international airport at Nijgadh of Bara was also stagnant, management of settlement at Tangiya is also due. I think these stagnant works make stride once a new Minister assumes office and a new budget is released.”
Committee has decided to seek information from the Ministry of Defence and Nepal Army about why the DPR of the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track in Terai. The Nepal Army was assigned the full responsibility to carry out the construction of 76.2-km expressway.
Committee members suggested the government that it became serious about the construction cost of the Budhi Gandaki hydropower project that has increased by two-fold due to delay in deciding who and in what model the mega hydro project would be constructed. There were still unsolved disputes concerning the compensation to be provided to the locals displayed due to which there has been not much tangible progress. RSS
