Govt allocates Rs 18.88 billion for rebuilding disaster-hit roads and bridges

KATHMANDU, Feb 21: The government has allocated Rs 18.88 billion for the reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by disasters.

The budget will be used for the reconstruction of 26 infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges damaged by the floods and landslides that occurred in mid-September last year. On February 16, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel approved the funding for the reconstruction, following a request from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.

According to the Department of Roads (DoR), the budget has been allocated to rebuild the highways and bridges damaged by floods and landslides.

Rs 16.98 billion allocated for Highways and Rs 1.90 billion for bridges

The DoR has stated that out of the total budget, Rs 16.98 billion has been allocated for highways. Of this, Rs 15.83 billion has been secured for main roads and Rs 1.15 billion for alternative roads. Similarly, a total budget of Rs 18.88 billion has been allocated for the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges, including Rs 1.90 billion for bridges.

The DoR has stated that a budget of Rs 3.66 billion has been allocated for the reconstruction of roads and bridges in the current fiscal year 2024/25. Of this, Rs 3.16 billion will be allocated for the main road, followed by Rs 262.21 million for bridges and Rs 230 million for alternative roads in the current fiscal year.

Similarly, an immediate budget of Rs 602.4 million required for the temporary reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by the disaster will be allocated. Of this, Rs 398.7 million will be allocated for the main road, Rs 88.7 million for bridges, and Rs 115 million for alternative roads.

The government is providing a budget of Rs 8.5 billion for BP Highway. According to the initial study, it was expected to cost Rs 9.66 billion. However, the budget has been reduced by Rs 1 billion, and resources have been secured.

Of the total resources, Rs 7.50 billion has been allocated for the BP Highway Bhaktapur section and Rs 1 billion for the Khurkot section. Out of this, Rs 1.70 billion will be allocated for the construction of both sections in the current year. Similarly, Rs 212.5 million will be allocated for temporary road reconstruction in both sections of BP Highway.

A budget of Rs 600 million has been allocated for the reconstruction of Mechi Highway. Out of this, Rs 120 million will be allocated for the current year. Similarly, Rs 150 million has been allocated for temporary reconstruction.

Similarly, Rs 40 billion will be provided for the reconstruction of the Khurkot-Milti road. Out of this, Rs 80 million will be allocated in the current fiscal year for the reconstruction of this road. Additionally, Rs 10 million will be allocated for the temporary construction of this road.

A budget of Rs 500 million has been agreed for the reconstruction of the Biblyate-Maipokhari-Sandakpur road. Out of this, Rs 100 million will be allocated for the reconstruction of this road in the current year. In addition, Rs 12.5 million will be allocated for temporary construction.

Rs 1.90 billion allocated for bridges damaged by disasters

The government has ensured a budget of Rs 1.90 billion for the reconstruction of bridges damaged by floods and landslides. The largest budget has been allocated to the Phoksingtar Bridge connecting Udayapur-Khotang in Sunkoshi.

A budget of Rs 350 million has been allocated for the reconstruction of this bridge, with Rs 35 million allocated for the current fiscal year. After this bridge was washed away by floods, the government constructed a bailey bridge at a cost of Rs 20 million.

Similarly, Rs 250 million will be provided for the reconstruction of the Larcha Bridge and Rs 22.5 million for the reconstruction of this bridge in the current fiscal year.

Budget sources have also been secured for various bridges, including Rs 100 million for the Liping Bridge, Rs 250 million for the Hewa Khola concrete bridge, Rs 50 million for the Hewa Khola bailey bridge, Rs 250 million for the Sunkoshi-Khairenitar bridge, Rs 180 million for the RCC Bridge over the Bagmati River, Rs 60 million for the Bagmati Baguwa bailey bridge, Rs 177 million for the Puwa Khola Bridge (Mechi), and Rs 37 million for the Puwa Khola bailey bridge.

Additionally, a budget of Rs 27 million has been allocated for the Bailey bridge on the Jogbani River and Rs 150 million for the reconstruction of the Khurkot Bridge.

Rs 1.15 billion allocated for alternative roads

The government has also allocated a budget of Rs 1.15 billion for alternative roads. Of this, Rs 450 million has been allocated for the reconstruction of the Bhakunde-Temal-Sinduretar road. A budget of Rs 450 million has been allocated for the Kirnetar-Jafe road and Rs 250 million for the Thankot-Chitlang road.