PMO forms rapid taskforce to address road problems

Kathmandu, December 5

The Office of the Prime Minister has formed a ‘rapid taskforce’ team in coordination with other related government bodies to blacktop, fill up potholes or upgrade roads inside the valley.

The PMO’s initiative follows close on the heels of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s direction to the bodies concerned to enhance the condition of roads inside the valley in the next four months.

Joint Secretary Yam Lal Bhusal, also spokesperson for the PMO, said the office had formed a taskforce in coordination with officials of various ministries, departments, other government bodies and traffic police to undertake the task as per the PM’s direction.

“We often hear lack of coordination among government bodies blamed for the sluggish road construction. Keeping this in mind, the new team under the PMO will help improve the communication among government bodies for carrying out the task,” Bhusal said. He added that the taskforce comprises staffers of various government bodies such as Department of Road, local governments, Department of Transport Management, Nepal Electricity Authority and Nepal Water Supply Corporation.

The Office of the Prime Minister is also mulling formation of an another team, which will keep track of the roads inside the valley and identify if any part of the roads need mending, filling of pot holes or upgradation. The vigilance team will have officials from DoA, DoTM and Traffic Police.

“The second team will go to the field and suggest to the rapid task force if roads are in need of repair,” Bhusal said. Both the teams will be led by officials of the PMO.

Bhusal also said that the PMO would work together with the traffic police to promptly manage traffic flow in the capital city.

The budget for all the work done through the taskforce will be provided by the DoR.