GANDAKI PROVINCE SEEKS PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Pokhara. Before formulating the policy program and budget, Gandaki Province's Finance Minister JIT BAHADUR SHERCHAN held discussions with the private sector. He invited industrialists and businessmen who are making large investments and urged them to increase investment in Gandaki.

At that time, representatives of the private sector demanded that large infrastructure projects should be allowed to be operated on lease by the private sector. Dharmaraj BARTUULA, Chairman of Gandaki Industry Confederation, suggested that the Gandaki government should prioritize the Siddhartha Highway for investment. He suggested that if the government cannot invest, it should attract the private sector.

'Now, arrangements should be made to lease roads and bridges to the private sector for a certain period,' he said, 'If I am allowed to work and the government creates an environment, I can build a road that shortens the distance of 210 kilometers from Pokhara to Butwal to about 85 kilometers, making the journey possible in an hour and a half.'

The government has also studied this highway at various times. A study conducted a year ago concluded that this road, currently 157 kilometers long, can be reduced to 112 kilometers, with 23 kilometers of tunnels proposed and suggestions to open new road tracks in some places.

This road, the most important connecting Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, is considered key to bringing Indian tourists visiting Lumbini to Pokhara. The road, completed in 2028 BS, has not been upgraded.

Chairman Bartoula of Gandaki Industry Confederation presented a plan to manage hotels and restaurants required for tourists along with road upgrades, and stated his readiness for it. The study shows that the journey on this road section, which currently takes about 6 hours, will be reduced to 2.5 hours after upgrading. Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank has shown interest in working on the project.

Like the Pokhara-Butwal road, another businessman, Pushpajyoti DHUNGANA, sought permission to operate a high-speed train connecting Pokhara to Kathmandu. 'If the government simply facilitates the environment instead of engaging the private sector in partnerships, we can prepare the Kathmandu-Pokhara high-speed train project within 5 to 7 years,' he said, 'Raising capital is not a big deal.'

The federal government had started studying the Kerung to Kathmandu via Pokhara railway line, but the plan has not been implemented.

The provincial government does not have the capacity to lease projects as demanded by businessmen. However, it can propose plans to the federal government for that.

The Pokhara-Kathmandu and Pokhara-Butwal roads fall under the federal government. Currently, the road from Pokhara to Mugling is being upgraded. A 6-lane road is being built in urban areas and a 4-lane road in other areas. Work is also progressing by dividing sections on the Mugling to Kathmandu stretch.

On the other hand, the government could not adequately address the Siddhartha Highway this year either. Federal Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim WAGLE, through the budget speech, announced the development of the Butwal-Pokhara section of the Siddhartha Highway as a expressway, but the budget has not been mentioned.

Finance Minister Dr. Wagle had stated that the road would be upgraded to an international standard. Incorporating that announcement, the provincial government has included the private sector in the upcoming year's budget statement. 'The feasibility study of the provincial expressway in cooperation with the private sector will be conducted from Pokhara to Butwal,' it is mentioned in the budget statement of Provincial Finance Minister Sherchan.

Sherchan stated that efforts have been made to attract the lease program through the budget statement.

'The constitution gives the province the right to build its own expressways. Based on that legal foundation, we are going to conduct a feasibility study of the inter-provincial regional expressway,' he said, 'After the study is completed, the private sector will be invited to invest in it. This means leasing.'

He stated that the budget has addressed the demands of the private sector.