The Government of Nepal and the World Bank have launched a $128 million project aimed at improving Nepal's provincial and local road network. The Provincial and Local Roads Improvement Program-Phase 1 seeks to enhance connectivity, efficiency, resilience, and safety across the country's road infrastructure. This initiative will be carried out by the Ministry of Urban Development in collaboration with provincial and local authorities.
The launch event was attended by Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, along with ministers from Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Madhesh provinces. Singh stated that "this project promotes the spirit of federalism embodied in the constitution bringing together the three tiers of government to work for the benefit of Nepalis." He emphasized that environmentally friendly construction techniques and a five-year maintenance component are crucial for sustainable infrastructure development.
The first phase involves upgrading 180 kilometers of selected roads and bridges, maintaining 400 kilometers of existing roads, constructing 100 kilometers of all-weather roads, and providing connectivity to prioritized municipalities. David Sislen from the World Bank highlighted that "this project will help improve Nepal's road infrastructure with a focus on resilience, and safety."
Implementation will initially occur in Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Madhesh provinces across 13 municipalities. It is expected that around one million people will benefit from improved access to resilient roads. A memorandum of understanding was signed among federal, provincial, and local governments to facilitate this project.
Best practices incorporated into this initiative include performance-based maintenance contracts over five years, routine maintenance by self-help groups, community-led projects complementing infrastructure development, pilot testing alternative connectivity methods, rural transport services enhancement, approach road development, as well as an online program monitoring system.