Kathmandu, June 29: The government has forwarded works in order to complete Mid-Hill (Pushpalal) Highway within the next three years. Of 1,879-kilometres highway, 410 kilometres road section has already been blacktopped. In the recently held meeting of Delegated Management and Government Assurance Committee of the National Assembly, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Raghubir Mahaseth, said that tender would be made in coming fiscal year to complete the remaining work of the Pushpalal Highway.
On the occasion, Minister Mahaseth expressed belief that the remaining works would be completed in time. He further said that out of 1,200 km Madan Bhandari Highway, works are on at Dharan-Hetauda road section. Minister Mahaseth said discussion was on with Japanese government for the construction of underpass at Jadibuti of Kathmandu. Moreover, he said that the government had aimed to complete the tunnel work relating to Khulekhani Bhimphedi at the earliest.
Regarding railways, Mahaseth shared that work was forwarded for the east-west railway by preparing the DPR for the same. DPR has shown that the railway would measure 945 kilometre in length while 200 kilo metre of work such as constructing tracks and bridges has been commenced already. He said, “We have aimed to forward the work relating to the railway eastward from Butwal and westward from Kakadbhitta.” As for the feasibility study of the Kathmandu-Raxaul railway, the Minister informed that the Chinese side had already submitted its report on it. Similarly, DPR of Kathmandu-Syaphrubeshi railway was being undertaken lately.
Minister Mahaseth claimed that the syndicate system in transportation sector had ended. “All the transportation companies in the countries have been registered as a public transportation company and they were paying tax and are operative by obtaining permit from the government.” According to him, an authority would be formed to address the remaining issues in the transportation sector. Minister Mahaseth said that government was promoting the electric vehicle (EV). Preparation was afoot to buy 300 electronic vehicles very soon, he added.
