HETAUDA: Minister for Infrastructure Development of Bagmati State Rameshwor Phunyal has stated that development of physical infrastructures in irrigation sector would be the priority of government as it wanted to increase production.
During a virtual meeting with chiefs and representatives of all 13 Water Resources and Irrigation Development Divisions under the State and Narayani-Khagrei irrigation management system, the Minister underlined the need of speeding up irrigation related infrastructural development, citing possibility of worldwide economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
”The government is ready to address issues caused by the COVID-19 lockdown,” he assured, directing stakeholders concerned for swift actions to prove that they could work amidst adversity.
He sought their attention to the construction of new projects as well. Minister Phunyal was of the view to choose projects on the basis of need assessment not on the specific interest of some individuals.
In the talks held through a videoconference, Director at the Water Resources and Energy Development Division, Megharaj Awasthi, apprised that Division’s overall progress had reached 70 percent progress. Despite challenges caused by lockdown, the financial and physical progress was at good pace, he added.
He pointed out the need of increasing sectoral budget to launch more irrigation related projects.
Divisions’ chiefs and representatives however complained the challenges in transportation of construction materials and shortage of workers and skilled workforce to meet the expected results.
Comment