Kathmandu, January 11:

The meeting of the Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) formed to monitor works of 200-bed Nepal Bharat Maitri Emergency and Trauma Centre at Bir Hospital, Kathmandu has expressed satisfaction over the current pace of its construction. The meeting also discussed about the strategy to be undertaken to ensure sustained progress and timely completion of the project by early 2008.

The PMC consists of representatives of Government of India and Government of Nepal. The trauma centre at Bir Hospital is being constructed with the assistance of Government of India under the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme.

A press statement issued here today states that Government of India is providing assistance of Rs108 crores for the project. According to the press release the Trauma Centre once constructed will be the second emergency and trauma centre of its kind within the SAARC countries. During the meeting, consultant and the contractor for the project made a joint presentation on the overall progress of the project. The PMC decided to meet again in April/MAY 2007, the release said.