KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 30

The Government of Japan has provided grant assistance of 2.8 billion yen (approximately 2.6 billion Nepalese rupees) for the emergency rehabilitation of Sindhuli Road, which was severely damaged by floods in September 2024.

The signing and exchange of notes for the grant took place in Kathmandu in the presence of Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal. The notes were signed by Maeda Toru, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.

Sindhuli Road, which stretches over 160 kilometers, connects the mid and eastern Terai regions with the capital city of Kathmandu. Its original construction was supported by Japanese grant assistance of 25.8 billion yen from 1995 to 2015, and the road has since contributed significantly to Nepal's economic growth, trade, and connectivity.

However, continuous heavy rainfall in September 2024 caused severe damage to the road, washing away more than 10 kilometers of the route. The destruction has had a significant impact not only on local communities but also on Nepal's wider economy, including trade and transportation networks.

Through this new grant assistance, the Government of Japan aims to facilitate rapid restoration and recovery of Sindhuli Road. The project will ensure that the road continues to serve as a vital transport link and stands as a symbol of enduring friendship between Nepal and Japan.

In a statement, the Embassy of Japan in Nepal said, 'This project will be instrumental in supporting Nepal's sustainable economic development and further strengthening the cordial relationship between Japan and Nepal.'