KATHMANDU, June 10: A vehicle carrying Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Raghubir Mahaseth met with the accident on Monday when the car drowned in Ghatte Daraou river in Arjun Chaupari-3 of Syangja district.

The vehicle with the number plate Ba 2 Jha 4029 skidded off the road under the river which lacked bridge and was partially submerged.

The minister was returning to the capital after the laying foundation stone of Sahara Khola bridge.

The police escorting the minister had rescued him.

KATHMANDU, April 8: Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Raghubir Mahaseth has claimed that the incumbent government led by Nepal Communist Party chair K P Sharma Oli has done more works in its one year tenure than the previous governments.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Monday, Minister Mahaseth added, “The government has expedited the development works across the nation. The first year of the government has become a foundation year.”

“I have black topped 800 kilometers road since I assumed office,” he furthered adding, “More than 100 bridges have been built and 900 more tracks linking highways have been opened.”

“The construction works of East-West electric railway has already been started. Likewise, the pre-feasibility study of the ambitious Kathmandu-Kerung and Kathmandu-Raxaul crossborder railway have been conducted,” he said.

He also clarified that Jayanagar-Janakpur railway, the only railway service of the country, resume operation by the end of the running fiscal year.

He further shared that the government has completed preparation to form Transportation Authority to systematize the transportion sector.

He also said that the government has already appointed registrar in the Nepal ship office, inaugurated in February with a view to study and explore the development of inland waterways.

“The techincal team has returned from Gandak after conducting two or three surveys,” he added.

SINDHULI, Feb 6: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Raghubir Mahaseth, has said the government would operate electric rail service and ship in the country.

Inaugurating the bridge constructed at Kamala rivulet of Dudhauli municipality in Sindhuli on Wednesday, Minister Mahaseth said around 6,000 to 8,000 km road would be blacktopped within next four years.

He shared the information that the government had forwarded activities to operate electric rail service after constructing east-west railway within coming five years.
Minister Mahaseth further said that the government had been talking with donor countries for financial assistance to operate electric rail service. RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan 25: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth said that the bilateral relation between Nepal and India at present is going through one of the best period in the history.

“India-Nepal bilateral relation is ancient. We enjoy positive and cordial socio-cultural, religious and economic ties, which is unbreakable. The relation between the two countries at present is at its best period in our bilateral history,” said Minister Mahaseth at a special interaction program organized on the eve of the 70^th Republic Day of India by Reporters’ Club Nepal on Friday.

Stating that the two neighbors are co-operating the development of agriculture, energy, physical infrastructure, he added that the achievements have met the expectation of both the governments.

Minister Mahaseth congratulated the Indian government and its people on the occasion of 70^th Republica Day and wished more progress and prosperity in the coming days.

India is celebrating its historic day on Saturday. India celebrates the Republic Day on January 26 every year to honor the constitution of India which came into force on the same day in the year 1950. On this day Indian Constitution Assembly approved the new Indian constitution replacing the Government of India Act, 1935 into the governing document of India.

KATHMANDU, Sept 17: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth on Monday assured that the government would provide overall foreign investment security.

He made this statement at the inaugural ceremony of the two days international automobile conference organized here jointly by the Nepal Automobile Sports Association (NASA) and the Federation International de I’Automobile (FIA). On the occasion, the Minister requested the FIA to invest in Nepal, while saying the government has a focus on road construction and expansion and railway operation.

Likewise, Mike Noon, President of the FIA Region II, said the FIA has been prioritizing the development of roads, tourism and sports, all as the means of economic development of the world.

Total 60 representatives from altogether 25 countries participated in the conference. RSS

SINDHULI, Sept 6: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth said that the government would take a decision on Pappu Construction in the next eight days based on the report of probe committee.

Minister Mahaseth, who arrived to inaugurated a bridge constructed over the Manik rivulet, shared that the probe committee was formed to find out the truth behind dillydally in construction works being undertaken by the Pappu Construction across the country.

“A committee has been formed under the leadership of Deepak Shrestha in a way to present probe report within coming 10 days. Two days have already elapsed after the formation of the committee. Action will be taken after the committee submits its report within eight days”, he added.

He pledged to take action against the contractor based on existing and pipeline construction projects with him and the progress in performance.

The Minister claimed that the government would take action against any contractor for stalling construction projects.

The 25-year-long syndicate system in the transportation has come to an end, he said, adding that the transport monopoly would be obliterated before the upcoming Dashain festival. RSS

BIRATNAGAR, Sept 3: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth has reaffirmed that action would be taken against the Pappu Construction Company for its negligence in building the bridge on time.

Speaking to the journalists at the Biratnagar Airport in Morang today, Minister Mahaseth asserted that an investigation commission would be formed to investigate into the matter.

Mahaseth, arguing that none should be above the law, said that the construction company, should be brought to the ambit of law irrespective of who runs or owns the company.

The owner of the construction company is the federal parliamentarian to which the Minister said that the government would not lag behind to take action him despite his position.

“Action would be taken against the culprit according to the suggestions furnished by the Commission,” reiterated Minister Mahaseht.

According to him, rest other contractors had to suffer due to some 5 per cent of the fraudulent contractors. He assured that the public would feel convenience in some time after the roads and bridges are built.

Minister Mahaseth also shared that altogether 145 contractors were brought to book for their negligence or sub-standard constructions.

Furthermore, around Rs 150,000 to Rs 50 million were fined to the construction company entrepreneurs for their wrongdoings, according to the Minister.

He confessed that many construction works were delayed due to the government procedure and said that the government now onward would call for tender only after issuing site clearance.

Minister Mahaseth informed that the bank account of altogether 245 transportation entrepreneurs were ordered to block for operating syndicate and investigation were ongoing by the department of money laundering investigation.

He claimed that the syndicate in the public transportations had completely ended and all the public transports would be registered in the Company Registrar Office by mid-December.

Minister Mahaseth said that a new provision has been put in place according to which the public transportation plying the roads in the urban areas and towns could ferry 20 per cent of more passengers that its seats which he believed would end the over cramming of passengers in the public transports.

Overloading has been one of the factors behind road accident.
Admitting that there was still syndicate in the public transports plying the roads along the BP Highway, he shared that a 29-seat public bus would be launched in this route within 3-4 months.

According to him, around 400,000 of the 700,000 smart licenses were already issued by the Department of Transportation.

On another note, regarding the issues of agitation launched by doctors, Minister Mahaseth said the government’s attention was seriously drawn towards the issues raised by doctors. RSS

The condition of roads in the capital city is worse. Especially, during the rainy season the ditches and potholes of the streets fill with rain water making the roads unsuitable to walk or drive. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Raghubir Mahaseth said that the government will expedite the road maintenance projects. According to him, the ditches and potholes in streets of Kathmandu valley will be blacktopped by the end of August. Reporters’ Club Nepal President Rishi Dhamala talked to Minister Mahaseth focused on the condition of roads in the valley. Here is an extract of the interview.

You recently inspected the condition of road surface of the capital. What did you find? What are you planning next?

The condition of roads has slightly improved than it was when we came to the government. We have already directed the concerned authorities to fill the ditches and potholes in roads by August 28. The results will be seen soon.

Which streets have you prioritized?

The construction and repairs of Kalanki-Naghdhunga road section, roads in Jorpati and Sankhu areas have gained momentum. The works will be completed before deadline (Aug 28).

The government faces a huge criticism of being nonchalant toward the conditions of roads in the valley. The directions of ministry are not properly followed. Everybody is aware of the worse condition of roads of all 31 wards of Kathmandu. What do you say?

The small roads inside Kathmandu valley come under the responsibility of the metropolitan, not under the road department.

Does it mean the small roads inside the capital will still remain in condition suitable to plant paddy, especially in monsoon?

The condition of roads were never such worse, neither they are now. The opposition forcibly planted paddy to create fake impression. But it will not work. We know what to do.

Did you forget that the local residents protested the government idleness by planning paddy in roads?

All the problems will be solved by the end of August. There will not be any ditches and potholes in roads. The severe condition of roads is the result of previous governments. The current government is only five months old. We are determined to solve the problems and we have lots of works to do. Besides we are establishing coordination with metropolitan regarding road problems.

Isn’t construction and repair of roads of Kathmandu government’s responsibility?

Yes, of course. The department of roads is currently constructing about 12,000 kilometers roads across the country. After the country braced federalism, we have divided the responsibility of road construction to various bodies.

What can the people expect from the current government? What if you fail?

The people have put a lot of hopes on us. They should give us a year at least. People will not discount us if we fail to work as per their aspirations. This fiscal year will harvest many accomplishments. We have several plans. For example, we are working to minimize the traffic jams of Kathmandu to zero by the end of the year. If I fail to bring huge reforms and changes within a year as per people’s expectations, I will resign from the post.

What are your plans?

We are planning to construct an underground bypass in Koteshwor. Likewise, we are also planning to construction a new structure in Naghdhunga. We are planning to minimize traffic jam in Chabahil chowk. Yet, some problems like stay orders of court remains as obstacles. We cannot defy court’s order. Moreover, the policies of previous governments are also impeding our works.

The government also was headed by Manmohan Adhikari, Madhav Khanal, Jhalanath Khanal, Baburam Bhattarai, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and current prime minister K P Sharma Oli. You have been blaming previous governments for all the problems. Whose fault is it?

Those governments were not stable. Therefore, bureaucracy refused to follow government directions. Now, as we have stable government, such trend will end. The government will work as per the mandate given by the people. The current government is determined to meet the vision of ‘Prosper Nepal Happy Nepali’ introduced by Prime Minster Oli.

KATHMANDU, Feb 9: CPN-UML leader Raghubir Mahaseth has asked Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) to participate in the new government as his party was eager to address the Madhes agendas through constitution amendment.

“Both the left parties UML and CPN (Maoist Center) want to cooperate with RJPN and FSFN in amending of constitution and addressing the Madhes problems. We want the Madhes-centric parties to join our government,” said Mahaseth, a new elected member of House of Representatives, at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Friday.

“Efforts are being made to take RJPN and FSFN into the new government,” he added.

Mahaseth, however, said that the constitution will not be amended in the same form it was tabled at the parliament earlier. “The constitution will be amended as per the interest of people and the country,” he added.

He also questioned whether it was not necessary to use Hindi language in province parliament. “People have objected the use of Hindi language in parliament in Province 2. Why is it necessary to use Hindi language there?”

Mahaseth also assured that the UML and Maoist Center unification process will be concluded in consensus between the Chairs of two parties. “We were united from the day we announce alliance. Both KP Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dhalal are taking the unification seriously. The merger process will be finalized in consensus between the two leaders.”

“The sharing of power will be done according to the qualification and capacity of leaders,” he added.

DHANUSHA, Dec 11: CPN-UML’s Raghubir Mahaseth has been elected to the federal parliament from Dhanusha constituency-4.

Mahaseth garnered 22,532 votes while his contenders from Nepali Congress Mahendra Yadav received 19,991 votes and Mahajan Yadav of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal obtained 19,622 votes.

Likewise, in Dhanusha constituency-2, Uma Shanker Aragriya of FSFN registered victory defeating Left alliance candidate of CPN (Maoist Center) Ramchandra Jha and Nepali Congress candidate Ram Krishna Yadav. Aragriya got 32,044 votes to become elected as a member of federal parliament. His rivals Jha and Yadav garnered 18,715 and 15,441 votes respectively.

Rastriya Janata Party Nepal’s candidate Rajendra Mahato has already secured victory in Dhanusha-3. He defeated top rival Nepali Congress candidate Bimalendra Nidhi.