NPC, KDC told to prepare infra master plan for Karnali

KATHMANDU, Oct 29 :

The Development Committee of legislature-parliament has directed the Karnali Development Commission (KDC) and National Planning Commission (NPC) to jointly prepare preliminary draft of ten-year master plan for the overall development of Karnali Region within two months.

The plan will be developed into a full-fledged development plan for uplifting the living standard of people living in Karnali zone.

Following discussions on infrastructure development of Karnali zone at the committee meeting on Tuesday, lawmakers demanded that the government build high quality roads road in Karnali of the overall development of one of the most remote areas of the country.

Three districts of Karnali -- Kalikot, Humla and Mugu -- are among the 10 lowest ranked districts in the country as per the Human Development Index. Two districts of the zone -- Dolpa and Humla -- are still not connected to the country´s road network.

Government officials told the Development Committee meeting on Tuesday that they cannot say when the track opening works on the 90-kilometer rocky section of the Kalikot-Simikot-Hilsa will complete. Tulsi Sitaula, secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, however, said Dunai -- the district headquarters of Dolpa -- will be connected to the national road network within the next fiscal year. He also told the committee meeting that Simikot will be connected to Tibetan road network via Hilsa within this fiscal year.

Speaking at a discussion on ´Infrastructure Development in Karnali´, lawmaker Jivan Bahadur Shahi demanded that the government upgrade Karnali Highway at the earliest. He also said the government should initiate diplomatic initiatives to allow Nepalis travel on Tatopani-Tibet-Hilsa-Simikot route. "Food transportation cost will come down by one-third if containers bound to Humla are routed via Tatopani," he added.

Kal Bahadur Rokaya, chairman of KDC, said Karnali Highway was being blacktopped before completing road widening works.

The highway has been divided into eight sections for blacktopping.

The committee has directed the government to complete fiscal programs within the current fiscal year and initiate monitoring of construction works in Karnali.

Lawmakers also say contractors remain idle and often go out of contact after winning contracts.

Secretary Sitaula said the government was preparing to amend Public Procurement Act to rein in such unscrupulous contractors. "We are including a provision in the act that bars contractors from having more than three contracts at a time," he added.

Rokaya also said KDC is facing shortage of manpower for the past three years. "The KDC Formation Order says development plans for Karnali should be prepared by KDC. But no such thing has happened so far," added Rokaya.

Lawmakers Goma Kunwar and Mohan Baniya also spoke in Tuesday´s meeting.

JANAKPUR-BHITTAMOD ROAD TO BE UPGRADED

The parliamentary Development Committee has directed the government to upgrade the Janakpur-Bhittamod (14 km) road keeping in view the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Government officials say Modi is coming to Janakpur to offer prayers at the Janaki Temple via Bhittamod transit point ahead of the SAARC Summit.

Secretary Sitaula told the committee that the government would upgrade the road ahead of Modi´s visit.

Speaking at the meeting on Tuesday, lawmaker Mahendra Yadav had demanded the government to upgrade the road in preparation for Modi´s visit.

Source: Republica