Govt estimates as high as Rs 25 billion cost for complete restoration of damaged bridges, roads

Kathmandu, Oct 3: The spending for the repair and reconstruction of the roads and bridges damaged in the recent disasters is estimated to range from Rs 20 to Rs 25 billion so that they could be restored fully.     

The last week's destruction of roads and bridges in the floods and landslides triggered by the nonstop rainfall burdened the government of such amount for the sustainable operation of the essential infrastructures. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Transport made such approximation after inspecting the damaged roads and bridges.     

Minister Devendra Dahal informed that he had written to the Home Ministry to ensure immediate rescue and relief to the transport workers who are stranded at different places after the floods and landslides. "General public are requested not to travel in the wake of adverse atmosphere, and in case of need, they are asked to maintain utmost caution and preparedness," Minister Dahal said, adding that the transport entrepreneurs, Nepal Police and New Bus Park management were coordinated to ensure safe destination to the passengers. Similarly, they were urged to manage advance ticketing since September 28.     

The Ministry had coordinated in a way the passengers would be reached their destinations before evening.     

Collection of detailed information is underway. However, the preliminary observation showed the temporary operation of the damaged roads and bridges would cost Rs 3 billion, according to Minister Dahal.     

Similarly, Ministry Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma informed that over 800 spots of 34 highways faced damages with landslide. Among them, the landslips on 774 places of the highways were removed so far.     

All-out efforts are being made to clear obstruction at 31 places of five major highways, he added. Heavy equipment and human workforce were mobilized in 29 highways for removing the obstructions.     

"Taking into account the Roshi River current, all possible measures are put in place in a bid to resume transportation temporarily. Clearing landslips in the stretch of 80-km from Dolalghat to Rakthum of the Mid Hill Highway is underway," Secretary Sharma informed.(RSS)