Ministers of Karnali Province inspect infrastructure projects

By Netra Shahi,Jumla, Feb. 28: Provincial Ministers and the government officials of the Karnali Province government inspected major infrastructure projects being built in the province, Monday. 

Minister for Physical Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources Mangal Bahadur Shahi, State Minister Urmila BK, Province Assembly member Devendra Bahadur Shahi, former Minister Naresh Bhandari and others monitored the status of the main projects being built in Jumla district.

They monitored various projects, including the Jumla headquarters-Urthu-Bhulbhule road, the road connecting Dolpa with Jumla district headquarters and other projects.

The ministers were apprised of the works carried by the district-based project offices on the occasion. 

Minister Shahi and State Minister BK also received suggestions on the current status of the province government projects, and the new steps needed to be taken for new infrastructure and those damaged by the natural calamities.

Chief District Officer (CDO) Mukesh Kumar Keshari said that the ministers and other officials were briefed about the problems of irrigation after the natural calamities destroyed the cultivable lands and the canals and the hardships faced by the locals.

After observing some of the projects, Minister Shahi said that federalism has greatly helped in managing the required budget to build the medium-sized projects. “Had there not been the province government, we would not have been able to exert pressure on the central government for the projects and budget,” he said, adding that the province government would give priority to important works. 

Minister Shahi said that the roads connecting Rara with Jumla Bazaar, and Dolpa and Jajarkot with Jumla are of high importance for the province government.  

Talking to journalists, Minister Shahi said although Karnali Highway and Nagma Gamagadi Highway are not the responsibility of the province government, initiatives would be taken to draw the attention of the central government to give momentum to the projects. 

He said that the works being done on the Karnali Highway would also be directly observed and monitored.

According to Hari Bahadur Oli, head of Physical Infrastructure Development Office, Jumla, works on the 38-km Jumla-Urthu-Bhulbhule road, and Jharjhyala-Lagna road are in progress.

Similarly, Chukeni hydropower plant of 998 kilowatts in Patarasi Rural Municipality of Jumla was also observed during the visit. 

Minister Shahi said that the provincial government would make the Rs. 430 million hydro project successful.