Mahadevtar tunnel along Kathmandu-Terai Expressway. (Photo: Saroj Baizu)
The Investment Board Nepal is set to showcase 19 projects in the transport sector in the upcoming Nepal Investment Summit 2024.
The Board has said it will present the road and transport projects including half a dozen tunnels to international investors in the summit.
According to the Board, there is a plan to build a road and tunnel from Malekhu in Dhading to Lothar in Chitwan. A feasibility study has been done on the project.
Similarly, the Board has planned to build a tunnel in Daune along the Narayangadh-Butwal section which is being upgraded, currently.
Similarly, the project of building a tunnel in the Hemja-Nayapul road section under the road from Pokhara to Kushma is being showcased at the Summit.
The Department of Roads is studying the tunnel under the Mid-Hill Highway.
The DoR is planning to build Mirchaiya in Siraha and Katari-Ghurmi road in Udayapur. Similarly, the Dharan-Leuti tunnel in Koshi Province is being showcased.
Three expressways are being showcased.
According to the Board, foreign investors are being sought for the construction of Chitwan-Rampur-Butwal Expressway, Chitwan-Rampur-Pokhara Expressway, Chandragiri-Chitlang-Palung-Chitwan Expressway.
Similarly, the Board has put forward a public transport plan in Madhesh and Sudurpashchim provinces. Besides, there is a plan to build an electric bus rapid transit system on the ring road of Kathmandu and multi-story parking lots in Patandhoka, Jawalakhel, and Lamachaur to tackle transport challenges.
The podway project introduced as a new technology is being showcased to operate in Pokhara metropolis. Foreign investors are being sought for the podway construction, which is seen as a new public transport option.
Likewise, the plan to build fast charging stations for electric vehicles across Nepal is also being showcased. Aside from this, projects including Bethanchowk Narayansthan Darshan Cable Car are also being presented to prospective investors.
Metro rail on three routes in Kathmandu
The Board has re-launched the plan to operate metro rail on three routes in Kathmandu. The projects that were showcased in the previous investment summit have also been moved forward.
A master plan is being developed in collaboration with Japan for the operation of a metro rail in Kathmandu.
The first of the three metro routes showcased by the Board is Satdobato-Ratnapark-Narayangopal Chowk. The second is Kirtipur-Kalimati-New Baneshwar-Airport and the third one is the Koteshwar-Chabahil-Swayambhu-Koteshwar.
Likewise, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport is also making the feasibility of running a metro rail from Thankot to Dhulikhel.
The Third International Investment Summit is being held on April 28-29 in Kathmandu.
