Nepal, India agree to expedite India-funded development projects in Nepal

Published On: August 17, 2020 02:45 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Aug 17: Nepal and India held the 8th meeting of the Oversight Mechanism through digital video conferencing on Monday.

The two sides reviewed the progress made on development projects in Nepal being executed under Indian cooperation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, discussions were held on the status of implementation of the on-going projects under Nepal-India bilateral cooperation covering terai roads, cross-border railways, Arun-III hydropower project, petroleum products pipelines, Pancheshwar multipurpose project, post-earthquake reconstruction, irrigation, power and transmission lines, construction of Nepal Police Academy, integrated check posts, Ramayana circuit, HICDPs, motorable bridges over Mahakali River, agriculture and cultural heritage, among others, according to the ministry.

"Both sides underlined the need for the expeditious implementation of the bilateral projects. In that connection, they agreed to undertake necessary measures to timely address problems and obstacles in the course of implementation," the ministry stated.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Nepal said that the meeting carried out a comprehensive review of bilateral economic and development cooperation projects since its 7th meeting held on July 8, 2019. "Both sides deliberated on the issues and agreed to expedite their implementation," the embassy stated in a press release.

During the meeting, the two sides noted the progress made in the development projects in the last one year, including reconstruction of 46,301 earthquake affected houses (out of 50,000 houses committed by India) in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, the operationalization of Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum products pipeline, the Integrated Check Post at Biratnagar and the High Impact Community Development Projects.

On the occasion, Nepal also noted with appreciation the COVID19 related assistance, including the supply of medicines and medical equipment to Nepal by India.

"Both sides have agreed to hold the next meeting of the Oversight Mechanism on a mutually convenient date to review the progress made in the implementation of the Government of India-assisted economic and development cooperation projects in Nepal," the press release further stated. The meeting was co-chaired by Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary of Nepal and Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

The meeting was attended by representatives of various ministries, departments and agencies of the Government of Nepal, officers of the Embassy of India, consultants and contractors engaged in the implementation of the projects.

The Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism was set up as agreed during the state visit by the then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in September 2016 in order to take measures to ensure that all ongoing bilateral economic and development projects are implemented on time.