Ramesh Lamshal
KATHMANDU, Jan 6: To a sheer neglect to the infrastructure development in the country, it was shared that only four out of 21 National Pride Projects (NPP) have seen satisfactory progress. The NPP is regarded as the mega project and said to be given special attention.

The progress of the remaining projects is in snail’s pace. The non-coordination among the government agencies, shortage of construction materials and locally brewed hassles in the fields are some major hurdles to expedite the mega projects.

The four projects have made more than 80 percent progress. The Bheri Babai Diversion Project is the top making 121 percent progress. Similarly, the Upper Tamakoshi Hydro Power made 90 percent progress.

According to the National Planning Commission, there are five projects making 50 to 79 percent progress, while two projects have witnessed zilch progress over the years.

The construction of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project has reached 94 percent. The activities are in full swing to complete the project within one year. It has aimed at producing 456 MW electricity, informed Project Spokesperson Dr Ganesh Neupane.

Similarly, Bheri Babai Diversion Project Chief Shiva Bahadur Basnet said the work progress of the project is more than expected. It has implemented Tunnel Boring Machine, first of its kind in Nepal.

The Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track, Second International Airport and West Seti Hydro Project have witnessed no progress at all. Similarly, the Rastrapati Chure Conservation Project is another to record zilch progress.

The construction of Nijgadh International Airport and Gautam Buddha Airport are waiting attention to solve numerous problems.

KATHMANDU, Oct 12: As the first quarter of the current fiscal year is about to pass, only 6.11 percent of the total allocated budget has been spent for the national pride projects.

At a discussion program organized by the Development Committee of the Legislature-Parliament on Thursday, Chief of Budget Division of the Ministry of Finance Kebal Prasad Bhandari said that only Rs 3.88 billion has been spent till October 11 (25th Asoj) out of Rs 63.7 billion allocated for the projects of the national pride in the current fiscal year.

The Ministry said that progress of five projects of national pride is nil.

During the meeting, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jitendra Narayan Dev said that the construction works of Gautam Buddha International Airport, one of the national pride projects, has not moved ahead due to dispute between the main construction Chinese company and its subsidiary Nepali company.

“The bidding process for Nijgadh International Airport is going to begin. The works of Pokhara International Airport has been started. The tasks on projects of national pride have not moved ahead due to lack of coordination among ministries. This has been developed as a trend and a ministry does not help another,” Dev said.

On the occasion, President of the Committee Rabindra Adhikari directed the Office of the Prime Minister, all ministries and bodies concerned to expedite the construction works of the national pride projects.

The Committee has also directed the government to end the lapses seen in the construction of such projects and end the lack of means and resources.

Likewise, the Committee has directed the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority to immediately book those officials not fulfilling the responsibility.

At the meeting, lawmakers Ram Chandra Pokharel, Prakash Sharma Poudel, Ganesh Pahadi, Guru Prasad Burlakoti, Mohan Baniya and Shanta Manawi said that Act should be amended to make them development friendly. RSS