Bagmati Province Government Allocates NPR 25 Billion for Infrastructure and Urban Development

Makwanpur. The Bagmati Province Government has presented its work plan and programs for the fiscal year 2083/084, focusing on physical infrastructure and urban development. The ministry has allocated a budget of NPR 25 billion for various programs centered around roads, bridges, urban infrastructure, environmental conservation, and social security.

The provincial government has allocated NPR 7.10 billion for the implementation of the 'Provincial Road Transport Master Plan'. Under this, the ministry has stated that more than 18 major strategic roads have been prioritized based on geographical balance and needs.

According to the ministry, the provincial government is prioritizing the Mohan Chandra Marg in Sindhuli, Ranipauwa-Gangate in Nuwakot, and Churia-Namtar road in Makwanpur. The ministry will proceed with the upgrading work by allocating budgets to more than 200 projects listed in the Provincial Road Master Plan.

The ministry has announced that it will advance the Hetauda Ring Road construction as a provincial pride project in the upcoming fiscal year.

The ministry has approved a total of 304 projects for road and bridge infrastructure across 13 districts of the province. Ministry Secretary Ishwarchandra Marhattha informed that the ministry has allocated NPR 2.23 billion for the implementation of these projects.

According to him, NPR 243.8 million has been added for the construction of 64 new bridges, and NPR 29 million is being prepared to be spent on traffic signs and crash barriers to reduce vehicle accidents.

The ministry has allocated NPR 457 million for integrated infrastructure construction in the centers of municipalities under urban development. A budget of NPR 75.5 million has been formulated for the construction of model integrated waste management centers in Dakshinkali of Kathmandu, Panauti of Kavre, Sailung of Dolakha, Hetauda, and Mahalaxmi of Lalitpur.

Approximately NPR 240 million has been allocated for road maintenance and road watcher programs. Minister Dr. Dinesh Chandra Devkota informed that the provincial government has introduced the concept of 'Green Roads' through the environmentally friendly rural road policy. According to him, the government aims to control landslides in road areas and conserve water resources using biological engineering technology. He stated that the ministry has allocated NPR 35.4 million for landslide control in 7 sensitive areas alone.

The ministry has allocated NPR 457 million for integrated infrastructure construction in the centers of municipalities under urban development. A budget of NPR 75.5 million has been formulated for the construction of model integrated waste management centers in Dakshinkali of Kathmandu, Panauti of Kavre, Sailung of Dolakha, Hetauda, and Mahalaxmi of Lalitpur.

A budget has been arranged to operate special programs targeting areas lagging behind in human development indicators, according to Minister Dr. Devkota. He stated that NPR 200 million has been allocated through the 'Chief Minister's Housing Program' to construct at least 1,000 safe houses for marginalized communities such as Majhi, Bote, Chepang, Surel, Jirel, Thami, etc.

The construction of buildings and roads based on disability-friendly and accessible design has been made mandatory, according to Minister Dr. Devkota.

He stated that NPR 42 million has been allocated for Science City in Lagankhel and Godawari areas of Lalitpur and IT Parks in Hetauda and Kathmandu, in line with the concept of IT parks and Science Cities for the development of information technology. He stated that necessary arrangements have been made for the construction of modern 'smart toilets' in various public places for clean cities.

Promoting Religious Tourism with Shiv Circuit Project

The ministry has moved forward with the implementation of the 'Bagmati Province Shiv Circuit' project to promote religious tourism. According to Minister Dr. Devkota, more than NPR 40 million is being prepared to be spent on this project, for which the tender process has been initiated after feasibility studies in 4 locations during the current fiscal year.

Minister Devkota stated that the tender process has been initiated for the implementation of connecting 64 Shiv Lingas located in 13 districts of Bagmati Province with road infrastructure to promote religious tourism, to be implemented from Sindhuli, Kavre, and Kathmandu. He informed that the first phase of the project has been completed and is currently in the implementation phase. He stated that NPR 75.3 million has been allocated for the second phase of the project.

The Bhimfedi-Kogate-Sisneri road is being advanced as an alternative lifeline to the Sisneri and Phakhel road connecting Hetauda-Kathmandu. The ministry plans to develop a one-door system for the procurement of necessary ropes and grips for suspension bridges through bulk procurement and to minimize damage from natural disasters by insuring public buildings.

He stated that the government has allocated budgets according to its goal of developing Dhulikhel in Kavre as a Heritage City and developing Tharu Gram and Ayodhyapuri in Madi, Chitwan.

According to Minister Dr. Devkota, works such as the protection of cultural heritage, including the historic Nilbarahi Temple and landslide control in Tokha, have also been included in the budget.

The ministry has allocated NPR 253 million for the construction of health facility buildings, including Bhaktapur Hospital, Trishuli Hospital for Mother and Child in Dhading, and Ayurveda Hospital in Rasuwa. Minister Devkota stated that NPR 535 million is being prepared to be spent on the reconstruction of government buildings damaged in the Genji movement and the construction of the provincial administrative building.

The Bhimfedi-Kogate-Sisneri road is being advanced as an alternative lifeline to the Sisneri and Phakhel road connecting Hetauda-Kathmandu. The ministry plans to develop a one-door system for the procurement of necessary ropes and grips for suspension bridges through bulk procurement and to minimize damage from natural disasters by insuring public buildings.

Provincial Pride and Strategic Road Projects