KATHMANDU: The Government of Japan has agreed to provide a grant assistance of Rs 1.85 billion to the project for rehabilitation of Sindhuli road affected by the earthquake.

The project aims to reinforce vulnerable parts of Sindhuli road that was affected by the April 2015 earthquakes. This will ensure safe and smooth traffic on the road, which is one of the vital roads linking Kathmandu with the Tarai region.

The construction work will commence in March 2019 and will be completed by July 2020.

The Exchange of Notes, Grant Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding to this effect were signed and exchanged between the Government of Nepal and Government of Japan in a programme organised at the Ministry of Finance, Singha Durbar, today.

To achieve the government's goal of developing a safe, sustainable and resilient transport network that would support socio-economic development of the country, road maintenance is crucial.

This project is expected to be helpful not only in maintenance of the road condition, but in increasing the safety of travellers.

The Exchange of Notes was signed by Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Rajan Khanal, and Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, Masamichi Saigo, on behalf of their respective governments.

Similarly, Joint Secretary of International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division at the Ministry of Finance, Shree Krishna Nepal, and Chief Representative of JICA Nepal, Jun Sakuma, signed the Grant Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding.

On the occasion, the Nepal Government expressed its appreciation towards the Japanese Government for their assistance and continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.