KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has provided a detailed response to questions raised by Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Sobita Gautam regarding the functionality and expenditure of Nepal’s Shipping Office.
MP Gautam had questioned the rationale behind allocating approximately Rs 700 million over six fiscal years to the Shipping Office, asking what tangible work had been accomplished during this period, and why the office was established in the absence of a legal framework—suggesting the possibility of corruption.
In reply, Transport Minister Devendra Dahal said that the office has made progress in several areas. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) have been completed for a terminal on the Narayani River, while a DPR has also been prepared for a terminal on the Koshi River.
Minister Dahal further added that annual efforts have been made to remove obstructions on the Koshi River to enable waterway operations. He noted that a draft of the Nepal Shipping Bill 2024 has been prepared after consultations with stakeholders and is now registered in the National Assembly.
Additional activities include the translation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions into Nepali, a feasibility study of waterways on various rivers, and initial preparations for issuing seafarers’ identification documents to Nepalis working at sea globally.
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