Planned cities should be developed: PM Prachanda

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Dec 21: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that smart cities need to be built by emphasizing the planned development of the cities. 

Addressing the discussion programme jointly organized by the Ministry of the Urban Development and Ministry of Forests and Environment in Singha Durbar on Thursday, the PM said, “The orderly noble city needs to be built in the Kathmandu Valley. During my second term, the concept of a smart city was taken forward with a similar concept. We thought this would create a smart city in each province. We have to develop a planned city and we have named it a smart city. This is a long-term strategy, it should be implemented after a serious thought on the issue.” 

The PM said, “It is our responsibility to build the administrative building at all local levels. While talking about urbanization, the concept of beautifying the city should not be left out. I have been told that the development should be made as per the geography. Development connecting all directions, East-West and North-South is pour need, so it should be thought out accordingly.” 

According to the PM, the Mid-Hill highway project was initiated in his term. Likewise, the postal highway was moved forward as well. The formation of the south-north corridor is our vision as well. The development model should be based on the situation of the country, its geographical formation and its economic status. 

PM Prachanda said, “There is a need for various legal and policy changes in the sector of forest and environment. The Act of 2029 doesn’t address the needs of today. At the time of making the act, there were vacant spaces and lands and these are now urbanized. The well-being of humans should be prioritized while addressing forests. We are stuck in the process rather than the rest, therefore, it should be broken.” 

“On one hand we are saying that we are enriched with forests, on the other hand, billions worth of wood are getting imported. We need to be able to make use of the fallen trees and utilize it in a better way. Woods is our jewel and it should be utilized,” he said. 

Saying that it has come to a situation where there is a need to work on the extent of the budget and number of projects, Sita Gurung, Minister of Urban Development said, “ The development of the planned and orderly cities needs to be taken under the national pride project as well. 

Saying that the ministry has worked wonders in regards to the building of the private homes, she said that now the focus will be on the reconstruction of houses destroyed by the earthquake. 

Likewise, the Ministry for Forests and Environment Dr Birendra Prasad Mahato, said that some bumps come around while moving development projects as the Forest Act 2076 (2019 AD) regarding cutting down trees is long and tedious, and customs policy regarding wood is not scientific, therefore, the Ministry should be focused on solving those issues. 

Dr Baikuntha Aryal, Chief Secretary of the government of Nepal said that each ministry tends to prioritize their protection and development, which makes the development policy imbalanced. The fore, Forest and development should go hand and hand. 

In the discussion, Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development Sarju Vaidya, said that the attempts have been made for the effective implementation of the foreign aid, there is a need for balance between the planning stage and budget management and need for the manpower because of workload. 

In the discussion, Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development Sarju Vaidya pointed out that initiatives have been taken for the effective implementation of the foreign aid budget, and that there is a need for proper coordination between the level of the project and the management of the budget, and the need to increase manpower from the point of view of work pressure.