Minister Ghising, Chinese ambassador discuss road, power connectivity
KATHMANDU: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kul Man Ghising, today.
The meeting took place at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) in Singha Durbar, where Ambassador Chen congratulated Minister Ghising and conveyed best wishes for his term.
The discussion focused on road and electricity transmission‑line connectivity between Nepal and China, progress on road and electricity projects contracted to Chinese construction firms, cooperation in the energy sector, implementation status of projects operating with Chinese assistance, and Chinese investment.
Minister Ghising sought support to operate permanently Kathmandu–Kodari (Araniko) and Syafrubesi–Rasuwagadhi roads, which were vital for road links between Nepal and China. He said the roads were vulnerable to landslides and urged the use of Chinese technology for maintenance.
The minister also called for immediate work to start on Kalanki–Basundhara section of Kathmandu Valley Ring Road expansion, being built with Chinese grant assistance. He urged expediting another cross‑border transmission line from Kimathanka, citing that several hydropower projects were under construction in Arun river corridor and that the line was needed to make Nepal’s electricity market more competitive.
Minister Ghising informed Ambassador Chen that work on Kamala–Kanchanpur project contracted to a Chinese company had been unsatisfactory and asked the ambassador to facilitate support to expedite expansion of Naryangadh–Butwal and Muglin–Pokhara roads.
Ambassador Chen said China stood ready to support Nepal, according to its priorities, as it had in the past.
Officials at the meeting included MoPIT Secretary Keshab Kumar Sharma, Development Assistance Coordination and Quality Division chief Sushil Babu Dhakal, Department of Roads (DoR) Director General Bijaya Jaishi, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs North East Asia Division under‑secretary Manahari Dangal.
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