Government plans to spend Rs 8 billion on rural roads in 16 districts

MAKWANPUR, July 4:

The government is planning to spend Rs 8 billion in five years for the upgradation and maintenance of rural roads in 16 districts of central and eastern development regions.

The budget is going to be spent as part of Strengthening National Rural Transport Programme (SNRTP). According to SNRTP's program management unit office in Hetauda, the upgradation and maintenance of the rural roads will be carried out through SNRTP upon the funding from The World Bank.

The SNRTP's program management unit's Hetauda Chief Rajesh Prasad Ghimire says the program is being implemented jointly by the government and The World Bank for the strengthening and maintenance of the rural roads that are listed under the District Transportation Master Plan.

Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Makawanpur, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari, Udayapur, Bhojpur, Terhathum and Sankhuwasabha are the districts where respective District Development Committees (DDCs) are undertaking the work under SNRTP, according to Ghimire.

Ghimire says DDCs can spend a maximum of Rs 80 million annually for the strengthening and maintenance of the roads that fall under SNRTP.

SNRTP's program management unit Hetauda Engineer Rupak Acharya told Republica that work on a total of 1,800 km of road including the strengthening of 20 roads and maintenance of 95 roads were underway, according to the detailed reports submitted by respective DDCs.

Acharya says that ignorance of contractors -- who win bids with low prices -- about the quality of construction was the major challenge in the implementation of the program. He also pointed out the shortage of sand, pebbles, gravel and other construction materials as well as laborers in many project sites have also become challenges for SNRTP.

According to the officials of the program, the completion of the strengthening and maintenance of the roads under the program within five years will help connect the rural farmers to the headquarters.

Source: Republica