Government to Upgrade Karnali Roads to Two Lanes in Three Years

Kathmandu. The government has announced that it will make the roads connecting the centers of all local levels of Karnali Province and district headquarters two lanes within the next three years. Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Sunil Lamsal, made this commitment while responding to questions raised by MPs in the National Assembly meeting. Minister Lamsal stated that the construction of roads and bridges in the Karnali region is a high priority for the government.

He informed that about 9 bridges in the currently under-construction road sections are in the process of being advanced through the 'Design and Build' method, and additional bridges will be constructed as per the need after field study. Minister Lamsal said that he is going for a field inspection on July 18 to understand the actual condition of bridges and roads and to solve the problems observed.

Speaking in the house, Minister Lamsal said, 'The government's goal is to expand the currently existing one-lane roads to two lanes within three years. The detailed project report (DPR) and cost estimate will be prepared and work will be started within this fiscal year. Approximately 27 billion rupees have been managed as budget for the long-term solution of identified landslides. Work is being done to end the problem of landslides within the next three years.'

He informed that sufficient budget has been allocated to provide safe roads to the centers of municipalities in Karnali, including Mugu, where road networks are not yet established or are unpaved, and the tender process will move forward this year. Mentioning that the upgrading of roads is essential for reducing road accidents, Minister Lamsal said that the government has put forward a special plan for landslide control.

In addition, the government has also given special priority to expanding the road network up to the northern Chinese border. Minister Lamsal informed the assembly that work will be carried out to extend this road section, considered important from a tourism perspective, up to the border. He stated that a more detailed report on roads and bridges will be presented to the house after returning from the field inspection.