Business»
Interim plan in next fiscal: Various projects to see completion in ’10-’13
KATHMANDU, MAY 22 -
Mid-Hill Highway, Upper Seti, Chameliya Hydropower, connecting all district headquarters with roads and cross-border transmission lines will be major focuses of the Interim Plan (2010-2013) that kicks off next fiscal.
“Among the projects, some will be completed within the three-year period, while some will witness instant progress,” said Jagadish Pokharel, vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission.
The completion of the Sikta Irrigation Project is also on the top priority list of the three-year plan.
The projects that will kick off instantly include — Upper Seti, Upper Tamakoshi and Chameliya Hydropower stations, Pokhara regional airport and opening the track of the fast track that will connect Kathmandu with Nijgadh, Bara. “All projects will make good headway if the government’s policy continues,” Pokharel added.
He said the Mid-Hill highway could be developed into a very good industrial corridor given the fiber optic that has been placed along the highway. It will connect 23 mid-hill districts, 215 settlements and 7 million people across the country. According to Purna Kadariya, the secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, work is on in full swing and everything could be completed by next winter to ensure a workable road from the east to the west of the country. “Work that wil cost Rs. 1.3 billion is now underway,” he said. In the Tamakoshi project, funds that will be needed have been assured of. It is the cheapest project of its kind and will be developed by Nepali manpower and resources.
“The government has an understanding that it should be a major partner in some major hydropower projects that the country needs to address power woes,” said Pokharel. He added that the government will, however, support small hydropower developers in whatever way possible.
The dream of connecting all district headquarters with good roads may also come true within the next 2-3 years. “We are more focused on improving the quality of roads connecting the district headquarters,” Kadariya said. Regarding the fast-track road, Nepali Army is working on the opening track. The government has initiated the land acquisition process along the roads. “It may take another two years for the completion of the track opening,” Kadariya said.
The Interim Plan also hopes to complete three cross-border transmission lines, which will be useful in importing and exporting electricity in the future.
Work on the Sikta project is also going on with Nepal’s own resources amid Indian opposition. Foreign donors had withdrawn support to the project following Indian protest.
China has pledged assistance for the Pokhara regional airport. “The government has planned to develop the airport so that planes from South Asian regions could land there,” Pokharel said.
Posted on: 2010-05-23 08:50
Headlines
Advertisements
