India inks accord to execute seven high impact projects

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Apr. 4: Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and the Embassy of India on Thursday signed an agreement to implement seven High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) across the country.

The projects, funded under grant assistance from the Government of India, have a total estimated cost of Rs. 473 million and cover key sectors including education, health and agriculture.

According to the embassy, the projects include the construction of cold storage facilities in Nawalpur and Tehrathum, aimed at supporting agricultural productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.

In the education sector, infrastructure development will be carried out at multiple schools across the country, including in Mustang, Kailali, Dolpa and Banke. The projects will involve the construction of school buildings, hostels and canteen facilities.

A healthcare-focused initiative includes the construction of a birthing centre in Rautahat, expected to enhance maternal and child health services in the region.

All seven projects will be implemented through local government bodies, including municipalities and rural municipalities, in coordination with relevant Nepali authorities.

Since 2003, India has supported a total of 598 HICDPs in Nepal, of which 506 have already been completed. These projects span sectors such as health, education, drinking water, sanitation, connectivity and public infrastructure, and are distributed across all seven provinces.

The initiative reflects the ongoing multi-sectoral cooperation between Nepal and India, with a focus on strengthening infrastructure and supporting grassroots development efforts.

The latest agreements underscore continued bilateral collaboration aimed at promoting sustainable growth and improving community-level facilities across Nepal.