Environment-friendly transport, Nepal's priority: Transport Minister

Kathmandu, April 11: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, has said environment-friendly transport and development structures are the priorities of Nepal.     

During his address to the Third International Transport Conference 2025 here today, the Minister said Nepal is aware of the need to avert environmental loss from the construction of development projects.     

He pledged to promote the use of environment-friendly vehicles. The Conference that will conclude on April 13 is themed "Towards Safe, Sustainable, Efficient and Resilient Mobility". It has been organised by the Society of Transport Engineers Nepal and aims to collect feedback for formulating policies for sustainable and safe transportation.     

During the address, the Minister said Nepal aims to develop an environment-friendly, safe, resilient, sustainable, disabled and user-friendly transport system assisted with technology.     

He also highlighted the need to accelerate urban-rural connectivity and ensure policy and legal reforms for bringing reforms in public transport and road safety. "The government is working towards that end."     

Stating that lately construction of transport infrastructure has been accelerated in the country, the Minister said at present, the three major east-west highways and one highway of the Asian standard are being developed simultaneously.     

Similarly, the construction of the North-South Highway and the corridor is progressing and the projects to construct roadways of trade and strategic importance have been implemented.     

"Two additional international airports have been recently developed in the country and Nepal has already entered an era of an advanced tunnel facility," he said.     

 According to the Minister, the Nagdhunga Tunnel Way is likely to come into operation within a year and a breakthrough has been already achieved regarding the Siddhababa Tunnel construction project.     

The construction of the Kathmandu-Terai-Madhes Fast Track has been accelerated.     

On the occasion, Ministry Secretary Keshab Kumar Sharma talked about the status of physical infrastructure in Nepal, its phases and a future course of action.     

Experts, scholars and professionals from various countries will give their presentations, according to Society Chair Dr Hareram Shrestha. (RSS)