Kathmandu, June 18: Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal has said the government has allocated Rs 88.33 billion for the Intensive Urban Programme, aimed at systematically developing urban centres and market areas across the country.
Responding to lawmakers during discussions on the Appropriation Bill, 2083, in the House of Representatives on Thursday, Minister Lamsal said the programme, backed by a three-year action plan, would support the planned development and management of market centres in around 300 municipalities and towns.
The minister said the government has also introduced measures to significantly shorten the public procurement process, reducing project implementation timelines from the current 18–21 months to just six to seven months.
He explained that although the annual allocation may appear modest, the programme is designed as a three-year initiative with a much larger overall investment commitment.
Clarifying concerns over the figures published in the budget’s “Red Book,” Lamsal said the total three-year investment had initially been estimated at around Rs 500 billion for the physical infrastructure sector and Rs 650 billion for the urban development sector.
According to the minister, while the current budget document lists an allocation of Rs 286 billion, the government’s project-based implementation plan envisions a cumulative investment of approximately Rs 1.15 trillion over the next three years.
Addressing lawmakers’ concerns over road safety and the lack of infrastructure in rural areas, Lamsal said the government has placed high priority on improving road safety, road beautification and the construction of user-friendly transport infrastructure.
Responding to criticism that road maintenance had not received sufficient attention, he said the government has allocated dedicated funding for road repairs under three separate budget headings.
The minister also outlined the government’s drinking water targets, stating that the goal is to provide access to clean drinking water to 65 percent of the population within the next three years and to 90 percent within five years.
He added that at least Rs 100 million has been allocated to each of 15 divisional offices to implement neglected but essential infrastructure projects across the country. #nepal
