Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Poudel recently gave go-ahead to two separate proposals that pave the way for DoR to begin procurement process to upgrade Galchhi-Trishuli (24 km) road section into a double-lane black-topped road, and gravel Jomsom- Kora La (100 km) road.Galchhi-Trishuli is a section of road that connects Prithvi Highway with Nepali bordering town of Rasuwagadhi via Syafrubesi.
Gopal Prasad Sigdel, joint secretary of DoR, said that they will soon begin tender process to expedite the two road projects.
Nepal Army has been clearing landslide debris on 10-kilometer section of Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi road since January. It is also undertaking a track opening work on Syafrubesi-Mailung section of the road.
Likewise, the government has also permitted DoR to begin construction of a strategic road that links Dharan with Hetauda via Chatara, Gaighat and Sindhuli. Upon completion, the road will function as an alternative to Hetauda-Dharan section of the East-West Highway. Though the government had already decided to blacktop the 318-kilometer road with the target of completing it within three years, the work was affected because of fuel shortage due to Indian blockade.
The DoR started track opening work in 2007 right after the Madhes movement. Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the road project has already been prepared. The project is estimated to cost Rs 11 billion as per DPR prepared in 2008. At present, DoR is building two bridges on the road.
However, no decision has been taken on Kimathanka-Khandbari road even though track-opening work is already underway.
DoR has also been issued permission to invite bids to gravel 15-kilometer section of Kaligandaki Corridor project in Parbat district.
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