India has agreed to construct 53 roads with combined length of 1,444 km -- 20 postal and feeder roads with combined length of 650 km to be constructed in the first phase in 13 districts -- to strengthen road networks in the southern plains bordering India. The first phase of construction was scheduled to begin a year ago. The design of the project has already been completed.
"Because of the delay in construction, for which both the countries have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct survey, locals are piling pressure on us to allocate state fund for the construction, instead of waiting for India´s support," the source added.
The Finance Ministry recently sent a letter to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW), requesting the latter to start the process of construction of 37 km Jitpur-Khuluwa postal road in Kapilbastu, one of the 20 roads supposed to be constructed in the first phase.
“In response to our request for specific time frame for the completion of construction works, the Indian side stated that the process of awarding contracts won´t go ahead, unless Nepal provides details of land acquisitions," the source added.
During PM Madhav Kumar Nepal´s recent India visit, both the sides agreed to initiate the construction of road at the earliest.
Tulsi Sitaula, joint secretary of the MoPPW, said the ministry would soon issue a public notice to initiate the process of land acquisition and would provide the details to the Indian side. "We are hopeful that the construction will begin within six months,” Sitaula added.
Though the cabinet has already approved a MoU on the construction of postal and feeder roads and sent it to India for approval, India has yet to endorse it.
The project, which will be commissioned under three phases, aims to improve road connectivity in the southern belt with other strategic points including district headquarters.
Under the first phase, construction of 50 km road in Jhapa, 22 km in Morang, 18 km in Saptari, 92 km in Dhanusha, 57 km in Mahottari, 69 km in Sarlahi, 68 km in Bara, 33 km in Kapilvastu, 49 km in Banke, 35 km in Bardia, 100 km in Kailali, 34 km in Dang and 68 km in Parsa will be completed. The second and third projects will see the construction of 17 and 16 roads respectively.
RITES India (Rail India Technical and Economic Services), an Indian government undertaking, has been appointed as the consultant for the project.
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