The Nepal government is building five transport infrastructure projects in the country with the Chinese financial support.
In the last week of August, the Ministry of Finance signed an agreement with the China government to advance four projects, including three road projects.
On August 22, four separate cooperation letters were signed and exchanged for the construction of an 8.2-kilometer road section from Kalanki to Basundhara-Maharajgunj as part of the Kathmandu Ring Road project. The agreements also include upgrading Hilsa-Simikot road section to two lanes and the feasibility study of maintenance, improvement and landslide control works of Arniko Highway.
Similarly, the two countries agreed to install ICP and ICD at Korala border point of Mustang. Finance Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire on behalf of the Nepal government, and Yang Weiqun, vice president of China International Development Cooperation Agency, signed on behalf of China. With the signing, the construction of the project is set to proceed.
The Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road connecting Kerung Pass is being constructed with Chinese financial support. Under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the feasibility study of the Kerung-Kathmandu railway is also underway.
"We have not built infrastructure with Chinese loans for road infrastructure," said Bhimarjun Adhikari, the joint secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, "Now five infrastructure building projects have been taken forward."
How is the build going?
The road construction from Kalanki to Maharajgunj is starting within six months with the Chinese grant. Koteshwar-Kalanki road section, built with Chinese aid, was handed over to the Nepal government in 2075 BS. Although there was an agreement to build up to Chabhil, it could not start due to the COVID epidemic, site clearance, etc.
"A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed. The Chinese side is working on the design”, the joint secretary said, 'Within six months the design will be approved and the works will begin.”
Eight-lane road will be extended till Maharajgunj. There are plans to construct an underpass and an overhead bridge.
Similarly, it has been agreed to upgrade the Arniko Highway connecting Tatopani border point. It will be expanded up to two lanes.
Likewise, an agreement has been reached to expand Hilsa-Simikot road up to 2 lanes in Karnali Province. Chinese technicians are carrying out a feasibility study to this effect, currently.
"To expand the Hilsa-Simikot road, the Chinese officials are carrying out a feasibility study", the official said, "Once the feasibility study is over, the construction work will start."
Chinese officials are working on the road leading to Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi border checkpoint. With the construction of the road, import and export of goods from Kerungnaka will become easier.
The feasibility study of the Kerung-Kathmandu railway is being carried out, with the deadline of 3 years.
Similarly, the construction of Pokhara International Airport has been completed with an investment of about 25 billion Chinese loans. The government has asked China to convert the loan into a grant.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel has requested the Chinese side to convert the loan taken for the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport into a grant, in view of the Nepal's economy.
