KATHMANDU, MARCH 3
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today held discussions with officials from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport regarding the progress of the national pride projects.
Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala, Ministry Secretary Keshav Sharma, various department heads, and the joint secretaries of the Ministry attended the consultation at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
During the meeting, PM Dahal stated that he has been regularly monitoring the national pride projects and directed the concerned officials to implement provisions that hold project chiefs responsible in case of increased project costs.
He acquired information from the Ministry officials regarding the progress of the North-South (Koshi Corridor) Khandbari-Kimathanka Road Project, the Kaligandaki Corridor, and the Karnali Corridor road projects.
Secretary Sharma reported that the physical progress of the Koshi Corridor Project was at 32 percent, with financial progress also at 32 percent. He mentioned that road construction works were progressing.
Additionally, Secretary Sharma informed the PM that the North-South (Kaligandaki Corridor) project had achieved 63 percent physical progress and 55.7 percent financial progress. However, the expected progress could not be achieved due to limitations in resource management.
He further informed the PM that the physical and financial progress of the North-South (Karnali Corridor) Road Project was satisfactory.
During the discussion, Prime Minister Dahal remarked that although the progress achieved since the inception of the republic is encouraging compared to the physical and humanitarian progress made in the 250 years prior, there is a sense of despondency as these achievements have not been adequately publicized to the general public, according to the PM's Private Secretariat.
"We have accomplished outstanding works in terms of physical and humanitarian development over the last 15 years, but there is a sense of despondency as these achievements have not been effectively communicated to the people. We should provide the correct information to the people about the work that has been carried out," the PM emphasized.
He directed Minister Jwala to prioritize the works of development projects and create an environment where project chiefs work on-site. "We should all prioritize the works of development projects. The costs of the projects have been increasing due to delays in implementation by the government, the ministry, and the projects themselves. Therefore, I urge you all to work diligently to end such anomalies," the PM concluded.
