Govt prioritises modern infrastructure, allocates Rs 27.73bn for road expansion, upgrades

KATHMANDU: The government has laid emphasis on the construction of modern and quality infrastructure for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26.

In the budget speech presented in Parliament today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel informed that the country's economic and social development will be accelerated by building modern and quality infrastructure.

Sustainable road networks will be expanded for safe and reliable travel. The construction of modern infrastructure such as expressways, underpasses and overpasses will be expedited. The budget statement mentions that national highways will be upgraded to fast and safe roads ranging from two to eight lanes based on necessity and that regular road maintenance will be carried out for sustainable operation.

"A policy will be adopted to open new tracks for roads only in locations deemed economically, technically and environmentally suitable. The use of tunnel technology will be expanded in road infrastructure construction. For the upcoming fiscal year, Rs 2.6 billion has been allocated for the completion of Nagdhunga and Siddhababa tunnel roads. Wildlife-friendly infrastructure structures such as overpasses and underpasses will be constructed in forest and national park areas," Minister Paudel stated. "In urban areas and regions with sensitive geological structures, high-quality and sustainable roads will be constructed using RCC concrete with cement, rebar, pebbles and sand, followed by blacktop. This is expected to increase the consumption of domestic construction materials and ensure the durability of road infrastructure."

"Within two years, 422 km of the East-West Highway's Kakrbhitta–Laukahi, Kamala Kanchanpur, Kamala-Bagmati, Bagmati-Pathlaiya, Butwal-Narayangadh and Butwal-Gorusinge stretches will be upgraded to four lanes. The upgrading work for the Gaddachauki–Attariya stretch of the East-West Highway will begin in the upcoming fiscal year. For this, Rs 21.19 billion has been allocated," Finance Minister Paudel said. "In fiscal year 2025/26, the upgrading of the Siddhartha Highway to a dedicated double lane will commence, given its high potential for tourism promotion and economic activities."

Necessary funds have been allocated to conduct a feasibility study for a new technology-based podway as an alternative to the currently closed Kathmandu-Hetauda ropeway. Cable car operations will be encouraged in hilly and mountainous regions, and the private sector will be facilitated for the construction of the Birethanti–Muktinath cable car.

The existing alignment of the Pushpalal Mid-hill Highway will be modified to reduce travel time, cost, distance and accidents. There are plans for preliminary preparations to upgrade this highway to a dedicated double lane, incorporating tunnel and viaduct technology. According to the budget statement, Rs 3.94 billion has been allocated for this purpose.