Infrastructure Sector Shows Significant Progress in First Nine Months of FY 2082/83

Kathmandu. Significant progress has been observed in the field of physical infrastructure in the first nine months (Shrawan-Chaitra) of the current fiscal year 2082/83. According to the progress report recently released by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has achieved strategic success in the areas of road network expansion, tunnel construction, and transport management. However, the pace of capital expenditure remains challenging compared to physical progress. 

Looking at the financial details until the end of Chaitra of the current fiscal year, the ministry has already spent more than half of its allocated budget. According to the report, out of the total revised budget of Rs 1 kharba 96 arba 41 crore 10 lakh allocated to the ministry for the current fiscal year, Rs 1 kharba 5 arba 10 crore 82 lakh has been spent by the end of Chaitra, which is 53.51 percent of the total budget. This indicates a financial progress of 53.51 percent.

However, capital expenditure has not yet increased at the expected pace. Out of the total allocated capital budget of Rs 40 arba 78 crore for development works, only Rs 9 arba 31 crore has been spent by the end of Chaitra, which is only about 22.83 percent of the allocated capital budget. Compared to the same period in the last fiscal year 2081/82, when Rs 1 kharba 51 arba 32 crore (81.34 percent) was spent out of a budget of Rs 1 kharba 86 arba, the pace of capital expenditure this year appears to be somewhat slow.

• What is the status of road and bridge construction?

The ministry has blacktopped a total of 438 kilometers of roads in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. This includes 364 kilometers of two-lane roads and 74 kilometers of four-lane or wider roads. Additionally, 103 kilometers of gravel roads have been constructed, and 88 kilometers of new tracks have been opened.

Along with the road network, progress has also been seen in bridge construction. By the end of Chaitra, the construction of 46 new road bridges has been completed in various parts of the country. Furthermore, periodic maintenance of 63 kilometers of national highways has been completed, facilitating smooth traffic movement.

• Progress of National Pride and Strategic Projects

Physical construction has gained normal pace in Nepal's strategically important large projects this year. Nepal's first modern tunnel project, located at the entrance of the Kathmandu Valley, has reached its final stage. The work on its main tunnel has been completed 100 percent, and the work on 4 kilometers of 'secondary lining' has been completed.

On the Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway (Fast Track), which is under the responsibility of the Nepali Army, contract agreements have been signed and work is underway in 12 out of a total of 13 packages. So far, 6.3 kilometers of tunnel excavation has been completed, and out of 7 tunnels, breakthrough has occurred in 4. The completion of foundation work for 56 out of 89 bridges has given positive direction to the project's progress.

A total of 1,550.62 kilometers of road has been blacktopped on the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, considered the lifeline of the hilly region. A total of 114 bridges have been completed under the project so far.

On the Postal Highway, connected with the economic prosperity of the Terai-Madhesh region, 1,388.7 kilometers of road has been blacktopped and 154 bridges have been completed so far. Excavation work of 1,126 meters of the main tunnel of the Siddhababa tunnel (connecting Palpa and Butwal) has been completed, and 900 meters of concrete lining work has been finished.

• Status of Railway and Water and Road Transport

In the railway sector, 68.6 kilometers of track bed construction has been completed in the Bardibas-Choca section of the East-West Electric Railway, out of a total of 70 kilometers. 16 railway bridges have also been built in this section. Rail service is operational on the Jaynagar-Janakpur-Bhangaha section, and connecting it to Bardibas has been prioritized. Similarly, feasibility studies for Koshi and Narayani rivers are being carried out for water transport.

The Department of Transport Management has taken significant steps to address the long-standing shortage of smart licenses faced by service recipients. According to the report, 1.2 million smart cards have been printed and the distribution process has begun. This is expected to significantly reduce the backlog of licenses. Similarly, over 831,000 embossed number plates have been produced and installed at an accelerated pace. The department has also moved forward with digitizing services related to online payment and vehicle registration.