KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Transport has said efforts were underway to bring all roadways into smooth operation before the Dashain festival.
There are only two roadways left for resumption, it added.
Minister Basanta Kumar Nembang shared this information during a virtual meeting of the Development and Technology Committee of the House of Representatives on Friday. Most of the roadways which were obstructed and damaged by the rain-caused disasters have resumed traffic.
“The Road Department and Division had kept the necessary human resources and machines standby to resume the damaged roadways with reconstruction and repair. The repair was conducted in some 250 places of various roadways,” Minister Nembang said, adding that the Division offices were readied before the monsoon.
In the virtual meeting, Minister Nembang also informed that arrangement was made for those going to home in the festival by maintaining safe measures. He made it clear that although the COVID-19 was taking toll, the long route vehicles had to be operated to make the national economy active. “Continuous shutdown of long route vehicles not only ruined jobs to many but also dented the transport business,” the Minister reminded.
On the occasion, Ministry Secretary Devendra Karki said all roads damaged by the monsoon havoc would be brought to full operation within two weeks. “In this very fiscal year, Humla district headquarters Simikot will be connected to the national road network with the help of Nepal Army,” he informed.
Similarly, Director General at the Department of Transport Management, Gogan Bahadur Hamal, also said in collaboration with the traffic police, the health safety guideline was being implemented.
“We’re also conducting surprise check of the mechanical condition of the buses,” he added.
Committee Chairperson Kalyani Kumari Khadka, however, complained about the sorry state of many major highways. Other members of the committee urged the ministry and subordinate departments to bring into operation the roads on time citing festivals approaching soon.
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