Irrigation projects

MADHYAPUR THIMI: Bhaktapur District Development Committee has started construction work on several irrigation projects in various VDCs of the district. The projects are estimated to cost six million rupees. The irrigation projects, including the construction of Baukaphant Irrigation Project at Jhaukhel VDC-7 costing Rs 1,15,000 and Ganesh Community Farmers’ Irrigation project at Ward-7 have already started, said DDC planning officer Ramesh Aryal. Likewise, Lower Ganesh Dol Phant Irrigation Project, OP Irrigation Canal, Stream Irrigation Project under Manakamana are also being constructed. According to the official, Ghusi Phant Canal and Rajkulo are also under construction at Nagarkot VDC at a cost of Rs 50,000. Construction work of other irrigation projects in the district are also underway. — RSS

Air India’s new head

NEW DELHI: In the first major step towards merging Air India and Indian Airlines, Indian government on Tuesday named V Thulasidas as chairman and MD and Vishwapati Trivedi as joint managing director of the integrated carrier. Thulasidas and Trivedi will continue to function as chairmen and MDs of Air India and Indian Airlines, respectively, till such time the merged carrier, to be called Air India, comes into being. — HNS

Thai trade deficit up

BANGKOK: Thailand posted a trade deficit for the first time in nine months in April as imports grew faster than exports. Its imports rose by 11.2 per cent year-on-year to $10.73 billion with exports up by 16.5 per cent at $10.63 billion in the month, resulting in a trade deficit of $97 million. Imports in April expanded faster than exports mainly due to the purchase of two airplanes. — AFP

Industrial output up

SEOUL: South Korea’s industrial output grew at a faster pace in April than the previous month amid brisk production of semiconductors, cars and machinery. April output expanded by 6.7 per cent from a year earlier, up from the previous month’s 3.1 per cent gain. The growth rate was above the market consensus of a six per cent rise. It was also the strongest performance since the 7.5 per cent rise in January. — AFP