Himal Lamsal

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

Maitighar-Thapathali service lane operational with prohibited zone announcement

Published On: November 21, 2023 12:00 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Nov 21: The District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu, has declared the area between Maitighar Mandala and New Baneshwor a prohibited zone, restricting the organization of any form of mass-gatherings in the area for the next 30 days.

Nepal imports electric vehicles worth Rs 5 billion in first three months of current FY

Published On: November 20, 2023 10:00 AM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Nov 20: Nepal imported a total of 2,132 four-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs) worth Rs 5 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year (FY 2023/24).

Single borrower takes loan of Rs 5,217,834 from 17 microfinance institutions

Published On: November 8, 2023 01:30 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Nov 8: The committee formed by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to resolve the problems of microfinance institutions has shown that 418,722 borrowers have taken loans from two or more microfinance institutions.

Construction of three int’l power transmission lines underway at the same time

Published On: November 5, 2023 05:15 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Nov 5: Three transmission lines connecting Nepal to India are under construction at the same time. Among the three international transmission lines, the work of the Dhalkebar-Sitamarhi 400 KV capacity international transmission line of the Arun-III hydropower project is currently underway, while the construction of the other two transmission lines has also begun.

Palm oil export from Nepal to India declines by 50 percent

Published On: October 11, 2023 03:31 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Oct 11: Nepal's palm oil exports to its neighboring country, India, have plummeted by 50 percent, marking a significant decrease in the fiscal year 2022/23 compared to the previous year. The Trade and Export Promotion Center reported that palm oil exports in 2022/23 were limited to Rs 20.51 billion, a sharp drop of 50.1 percent from the previous fiscal year's figure.

NEA mounts pressure on local govts to clear tariff dues worth Rs 6 billion

Published On: October 9, 2023 06:03 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Oct 9: Disputes between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the local governments regarding street light tariff and land use have erupted again. According to the NEA, by the end of June of the fiscal year 2022/23, the tariff for electricity used by local governments for purposes such as street lights has reached a whopping Rs 6.0894 billion but the local governments have been dilly-dallying to pay the fee.

Govt simplifies process for attracting FDI

Published On: October 5, 2023 03:30 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Oct 5: Amid concerns about challenges in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) due to procedural complexities, the government is set to streamline the process by approving foreign investments of up to Rs 500 million through the automatic route.

Construction of long-awaited Butwal-Palpa Tunnel set to commence after monsoon

Published On: October 3, 2023 08:30 AM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Oct 2: Following the end of the rainy season, the construction work on the eagerly anticipated Butwal-Palpa tunnel is slated to begin. This tunnel, spanning 1.126 kilometers, is a response to frequent landslides in the area, and it will connect the Chidiya Khola to the confluence on the north side of Siddhababa temple within the Butwal-Tansen section.

Govt sets a target  of 1,500 units of energy consumption per capita within 12 years

Published On: September 22, 2023 08:05 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Sept 22: The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has set a target of 1,500 units of energy consumption per capita in the next 12 years, i.e. by 2035. The ministry has barely doubled the per capita energy consumption during the last seven years. However, in the next 12 years, it has set an ambitious target of increasing electricity consumption by four folds.

Patan High Court issues interim order to stop KUKL tender bids for wastewater management projects

Published On: September 8, 2023 02:30 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Sept 8: The Patan High Court has issued a short-term interim order, stopping the process of the tender issued so that only a limited number of companies could compete in the tender issued for the construction of the wastewater treatment plant. This order was given by the court due to doubts about the 'qualification' of the bids called for the construction of wastewater treatment plants stalled at Sallaghari, Kodku and Dhobighat under the Kathmandu Valley Wastewater Management Project.

Will the Electricity Bill be passed?

Published On: September 3, 2023 04:45 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Sep 3: The fate of the long-pending Electricity Bill 2080 BS, which has been repeatedly introduced in parliament, remains uncertain as it faces another deliberation in the Federal Parliament.

Foul play suspected as KUKL fixes criteria for water treatment projects that bars Nepali companies from bidding

Published On: August 31, 2023 10:13 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Aug 31: Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has issued tender bids for wastewater management projects in the valley that will likely benefit a certain group of contractors.

Foul play suspected as KUKL fixes criteria for water treatment projects that bars Nepali companies from bidding

Published On: August 31, 2023 11:00 AM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Aug 31: Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has issued tender bids for wastewater management projects in the valley that will likely benefit a certain group of contractors.

Water, water everywhere but no water to drink!

Published On: August 25, 2023 06:30 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Aug 25: Due to the risk of floods in the rainy season, the Melamchi water supply project remains closed since mid-June, deepening the water supply crisis in the Kathmandu Valley. Even though there is water everywhere in the Kathmandu Valley as it has been raining for the past several days causing flooding of rivers and unorganized drainage, the residents of the valley are facing a shortage of safe drinking water.

NEA records significant progress in electricity generation and consumption

Published On: August 20, 2023 09:15 AM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, August 20: Eight years ago, until 2015, Nepal struggled with over eight hours of daily power cuts due to electricity demand surpassing supply. Citizens could not even meet essential electricity consumption needs.

Delay in key infrastructures hinders utilization of completed tunnel of Bheri-Babai Project

Published On: August 10, 2023 05:30 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, Aug 10: In a development that highlights inefficiencies in project coordination, a 12.20 km tunnel for the Bheri-Babai Diversion Multi-Purpose Project was completed three years ago, at a cost of Rs 9.92 billion. However, the project's overall construction progress has been hindered due to the disjointed approach to various components.

Several donor-funded road construction projects record dismal progress

Published On: August 3, 2023 07:00 AM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, August 2: The government took a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2018 and proceeded with the Butwal-Narayanghat road upgradation work. But the pace of construction of the road section is shameful. The progress of the 113 km Butwal-Narayanghat road with loan from ADB is also embarrassing.

Construction of Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi road connecting China in a sorry state

Published On: June 20, 2023 03:00 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, June 20: The construction of the Galchhi-Trishuli-Mailung-Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road connecting to China is progressing in a pathetic condition. After India's embargo, the government advanced the process of building a 82-kilometer road to connect China by road in 2072/73 BS with the goal of completing the construction within two years.

‘Electricity Act, 2049 BS which came in force in 1992 is not relevant anymore’

Published On: June 10, 2023 07:45 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, June 10: A cabinet meeting held on Wednesday decided to present the Electricity Bill to the Federal Parliament to regulate electricity trade. Prior to this, the Electricity Bill, 2077 BS – which was under consideration in the National Assembly – was withdrawn by the then Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal from the upper house of parliament on September 16, 2022.

Electric vehicle imports valued at Rs 8.5 billion

Published On: May 24, 2023 12:35 PM NPT By: Himal Lamsal

KATHMANDU, May 24: Almost 3,000 electric vehicles have been imported during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. According to the Department of Customs, 2,955 four-wheeled electric vehicles worth about Rs 8.5 billion were imported during the period from last mid-July to mid-May.