NA members bat for expediting construction of bridge

Kathmandu, March 6: Most of the members of the National Assembly have drawn the government's attention to build bridges in 'fast track'.     

During the zero hour in today's NA meeting, Ghanashyam Rijal narrated that travelers were making a perilous journey in absence of bridge over Sunkoshi River and Tamakoshi River along the Lamo-Sankhu road.     

According to him, the bridge over these rivers were built some four decades ago and now are in dilapidated condition. A new contract agreement was signed in 2073 BS to build new bridges in place of the old ones.     

Rijal said, "Construction of bridge has begun partially over Tamakoshi River while construction work has not begun yet over Sunkoshi river although it has already been eight years since the agreement was signed. There is a high risk of road accident due to delay in construction of bridge. I, thus, would like to draw the attention of the government towards accelerating the bridge construction work."     

Similarly, Bishnu Bahadur Bishwokarma pressed for earliest construction of a bridge linking Mahabai rural municipality of Kalikot district.     

Expressing his discontent over the repeated missed deadlines for construction of bridge since contract was awarded in fiscal year 2077/78 BS, he urged the government to blacklist the construction company and speed up the construction process.     

Puja Chaudhary demanded action against the murderer of Rinku Sada of Siraha district. She also asked the government to pay compensation to the victim's family.     

Rukmini Koirala viewed that the government should mull how to shape the country's demography, arguing that population and development are interconnected.     

Krishna Bahadur Rokaya said that two airports in Rukum (West)- Salle Airport and Chaujahari Airport-should be brought into regular operation. He reminded that the flights to and from these airports have been stalled since December 17 last year.     

Padam Bahadur Pariyar voiced his concern over impact on people with disability, education for differently-able children, HIV/AIDS patients, tuberculosis patients and pregnant women due to temporarily suspension of foreign assistance received through NGOs and INGOs.     

 He asked the government to study impact in this regard and devise plans accordingly.     

Renu Chand accused that the incumbent government was trying to sack Kulman Ghising, Managing Director the Nepal Electricity Authority, by giving him zero score in the work performance evaluation while Krishna Adhikari argued that repeatedly demanding clarification from Ghising was a wrong act.     

Bishnu Kumari Sapkota drew the attention of the government to the fact that construction of a diversion in Gandaki River area could affect the saints and monks residing in Devghat area while Bishnu Devi Pudashaini underscored earliest endorsement of Education Bill.(RSS)