The project is expected to complete by 2014. Governments of Nepal and Japan have already signed the agreement to this effect. [break]
Bindu Shamsher Rana, project manager of the road project, said the Japanese government would construct 14 km road with seven causeways under the 37 km road to be constructed under the first phase of the third section of the road. Rana said Japan has agreed to provide Rs 2.92 billion to complete the construction of road under the phase.
Nepal government has provided Rs 50 million for the project.
“As per the agreement, the Japanese government will invest in construction, design and supervision of the road, while the Nepal government will bear cost for acquisition of land, compensation to the locals and arrange local construction materials,” Rana told myrepublica.com.
Japan has already provided Rs 12.5 billion for the first, second and fourth section of the 160 km long road. Nepal has spent Rs 510 million on the project so far.
The construction of Sindhuli-Bardibas road was first initiated in 1982. However, the project couldn´t materialize till 1996 due to various reasons.
The road is expected to benefit over 120,600 people of Mahottari, Sindhuli, Dhanusha and Kavre districts as per the census of 2001 through employment opportunity, improved access to road, and income generation through easier market access for their agriculture produces.
With the completion of the road project, travel distance from Kathmandu to Bardibas will reduce to almost half from the existing 356 km through Prithvi and East-West highways.
First section of the road that stretches from Bardibas to Sindhuli with nine bridges and 17 causeways was completed in 1998. Similarly, the 36 km long second section that stretches from Sindhuli Bazar to Khurkot was completed in March last year. The 50 km long fourth section from Dhulikhel to Nepalthok was completed in 2003.
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