Kathmandu, September 29

Stakeholders have urged the private sector to uplift their capacity and management system to build urban infrastructure of high quality.

Amid a discussion programme held here today, stakeholders said that though private sector is playing a crucial role in urban development, the low capacity of construction companies and consulting firms in urban development projects is impeding sustainable urban development in the country.

“Though the private sector has a major stake in the country’s development, it needs to enhance its capacity to build urban infrastructure of high quality so that urbanisation does not become a curse. They should also ensure better quality of construction materials,” Kishore Thapa, founding president of Nepal Institute for Urban and Regional Studies (NIURS) said, adding that the private sector should also make a push towards regulating the chaotic public transportation system.

Similarly, Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, president of NIURS, said that urbanisation should not be taken with a negative connotation. “In fact, urbanisation is the force that leads a country towards development. However, sustainable and quality urbanisation has to be maintained,” he said. He added that government should play a strong regulatory role to ensure sustainable urbanisation in the country.

On the occasion, Om Rajbhandary, chairperson of Urban Development Committee of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, expressed his commitment to further enhance and maintain quality in service and construction materials.