Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel has said that in view of the long-standing suffering of the passengers, the work of Narayangadh-Butwal road section will be completed before monsoon so that one-way traffic can be operated.
Speaking at the 'Strength of Lumbini' program organized by Kantipur Media Group in Bhairahawa on Wednesday, he informed that the entire road construction work will be completed within the next year while tourism professionals are raising the issue of the impact of tourist traffic due to the delay in road construction.
The country has to go through a political cycle. The effect of political instability has been seen in various areas of social, economic and livelihood,'' he said. The work did not speed up, it was blocked, so many people did not believe that this road would be built.
He mentioned that some people even suggested to break the contract. As the finance minister, we discussed with investors, builders and all related agencies and concluded that this road will be built. Construction of one-way road from Butwal to Narayangadh will be completed within the current financial year and before the onset of monsoon, he said.
He claimed that the entire road construction will be completed within the next year. "Until the construction work is completed, the doubters should be given the benefit of the doubt, but I say with full confidence - the one-way road will be opened in the current financial year and the rest of the construction work will be completed next year," he said.
According to him, the road will be built according to the specified 'standard'. There are some problems regarding infrastructure construction. We have made a mistake in making a calendar and completing the work on time," he said. "Furthermore, the projects are never completed at the projected cost, nor are they completed with quality in the stipulated time." The construction work of Gorusinge-Chandrauta section has already started. The problem like Narayangadh-Butwal road will not occur in this section, he said.
He said that Lumbini's development journey will not stop here and discussed more infrastructure projects. Siddhababa Surung Marg has been a breakthrough. Similarly, we are upgrading the Siddharth Highway from Butwal to Pokhara into a dedicated two-lane 102 km stretch,” he said.
Lumbini's economic potential and government's commitment
He said that Lumbini can play an important role in taking Nepal's economy to new heights. Lumbini is an important heritage from the point of view of tourism, culture and archeology. This area can become the main destination for peace-loving human beings,” he said.
He said that the government is committed to develop urban, industrial, education and health infrastructure to take Lumbini to new heights. "We are taking initiatives to establish new standards," he said, "The government is leaving no stone unturned to increase the self-strength of the private sector."
