Major projects may face implementation setback

KATHMANDU, May 6:  Indefinite shutdown called by UCPN (Maoist) has brought development and construction works across the country to a standstill for the last four days further complicating the implementation of those projects which were already making slow progress.



Officials at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) said the ongoig protest would make a huge impact as this is the prime season for the implementation of development projects.[break]



“Not to mention the slow moving projects, other projects going on in full swing are all set to face setback in implementation due to the shutdown in this prime season,” Tulsi Prasad Sitaula, joint secretary at the MoPPW, told Republica on Wednesday.



He further said the projects could face funding problem as most of them were running under foreign aid and most complete by mid-July.



Sub-regional Transport Facilitation Project being run under the loan assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) will face funding crunch if the project is not completed within mid-July. Similarly, Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Kakarvitta, 10 km Jitpur-Birgunj road and a 25 km road in Bhairahawa are being implemented under $20 million ADB loan and $2 billion government funding.



“The government will have to bear the additional costs if the ICD project is not implemented by mid-July. Given the present situation, we won´t be in a position to complete the projects within the stipulated time,” Sitaula added.



He further said other projects that are already moving slow would face further setback in implementation due to prolonged strike.



Despite falling in government´s priority, much hyped programs like Kathmandu Tarai Fast Track Road, settlement development program along highways and periodical maintenance of roads have making slow progress.

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