Bhairahawa, March 22

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed confidence that his government will be able to deliver on the promise of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’.

“Though we’ve witnessed some reduction in foreign investment, the government is all committed to deliver on its promise to make the country happy and prosperous. We can’t compromise in this regard,” said the PM, laying the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Butwal-Narayangadh road section of the Mahendra Highway in Butwal today.

“The highway will now be upgraded as an expressway and nothing can come in the way of this project. Similarly, work on the east-west railway is also moving ahead,” said the prime minister.

The Narayanghat-Butwal upgradation is happening in two phases with financial assistance of Asian Development Bank.

As per the sources with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Construction, the 64.4km and 48.5km sections will cost Rs 9.138 billion and Rs 7.863 billion respectively.

China State Construction Engineering Corp Limited Beijing, a Chinese construction company, has been entrusted with upgrading the stretches. Four Korean companies have been working as consultants. The upgradation work will be completed in 42 months.

On a different note, PM Oli clarified his government had to ban the activities of Communist Party of Nepal led by Netra Bikram Chand due to its violent activities.

“The government has brought even the separatist group of CK Raut into the mainstream politics. As for the Chand-led group, no one can stop it from becoming only limited to history if it does not shun violence and join mainstream politics,” Oli argued. The PM also said the government was committed to setting up a medical college in each province.

Minister of Physical Planning and Construction Raghubir Mahaseth, Province-5 Chief Minister Shankar Pokhrel, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) General Secretary Bishnu Poudel also spoke on the occasion.