KATHMANDU: The government has approved funding increases for several infrastructure projects, allowing for multi-year contracts in the current fiscal year.
During a meeting of the National Planning Commission on December 13, 19 projects, including roads and bridges, were recommended for multi-year contract approvals by the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has already forwarded projects for multi-year contract approvals for the current fiscal year. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who also heads the commission.
According to the commission, the ministry sent letters seeking approval for multi-year contracts for several projects, and based on this, the National Planning Commission has recommended multi-year contract source agreements to the Ministry of Finance, as per Clause 3(2) of the Multi-Year Contract Source Agreement Regulations, 2024.
Among the projects approved are five sections of the Madan Bhandari Highway: Ridi–Bheduwa–Tamghas (14.68 km), Salyan’s Shitalpati–Khalanga–Baluwasangri (21.05 km), Jhanda–Sardukhola (7.59 km) in Sunsari, Ridi–Balkot–Hanspur (20.43 km) in Pyuthan, and Badi Chaur–Gutu–Karnali (Chenaj construction).
Also included in the multi-year contract approvals are bridges along the Postal Highway, road improvements on the Kanti Highway under Chenaj, the elevation of the Kali Gandaki Corridor’s Felewas–Armadhi road section, the construction and upgrade of the Benighat–Arughat–Larke Bhanjyang road, and the upgrade of roads in the Tamor Corridor and the Rapti Highway.
Other projects include road improvements along the Shahid Marg, including Kankari–Taksera, Ghartigaun–Duikhola, Thawang–Mahat, and the Seti Highway’s Tikapur–Lode–Chainpur–Taklakot road.
The commission also approved multi-year contracts for various sections of the Salajhandi–Sandhikhark–Dhorpatan road, and the Hilsa Simikot (Tumkot–Iling, Hepka Simikot section).
The Karmali Corridor’s Khulalu–Salisalla and strategic road bridges are also planned for development under these contracts.
Additionally, the government has moved forward with the construction of over 100 bridges under the Strategic Road Bridges and Protection Program as part of the multi-year contract scheme.
Comment