KATHMANDU: Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal reached Simkot, the district headquarters of Humla, on Monday as part of his field inspection of road networks and infrastructure projects across Karnali Province.
The minister arrived in Humla via Mugu after completing inspections in Surkhet, Dailekh, Kalikot and Jumla along the Karnali Highway during his week-long monitoring visit.
During the tour, Lamsal inspected the Karnali Highway, feeder and agricultural roads, bridges, drinking water and irrigation projects, as well as school infrastructure.
He also held discussions with local representatives, officials from road offices, political party leaders, contractors and local residents to gather feedback on the region’s infrastructure needs, priorities and challenges.
Speaking during the inspection, Lamsal said the visit aimed to understand the real needs and concerns of the people of Karnali and collect practical suggestions for future development.
“We have documented the genuine problems, needs and demands raised by the people of Karnali, and the visit has provided valuable recommendations,” he said.
Local residents urged the government to upgrade the Karnali Highway into a two-lane road, expand the road network, and prioritize the construction of bridges, drinking water facilities, communication infrastructure, irrigation systems and school buildings.
The minister said the field visit would help the government prepare short-, medium- and long-term development plans based on the actual condition of infrastructure and the needs of local communities.
His personal secretary, Nirmal Gyawali, said the ministry is also reviewing the progress of road projects that have already received budget allocations and assessing whether any revisions are needed.
Lamsal also pledged to reopen the Federal Drinking Water and Sewerage Management Office in Jumla, which had previously been shut down.
During the visit, the minister toured Rara Lake in Mugu, the Guthichaur area in Jumla and the Chandannath Temple. According to his secretariat, Lamsal personally drove along sections of the Karnali Highway to assess road conditions firsthand and prepare a realistic plan for future road development.
Comment