Nepal, China review stalled and ongoing infrastructure projects

Nepal and China held their third meeting of the Mechanism for Facilitation on the Implementation of Nepal-China Cooperation Programmes and Projects on Tuesday, with Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming co-chairing.

The meeting comprehensively assessed the status of current economic and development cooperation programs. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far. They also reached an understanding to implement specific measures aimed at accelerating the timely and effective execution of projects requiring immediate attention.

Discussions covered ongoing projects such as the reconstruction of a bridge in Rasuwa, a bone marrow transplantation service center, and the export of buffalo meat to China. The Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadi Highway Repair and Improvement Project, the Chilime-Rasuwagadhi-Kerung 220 KV transmission line, the Nepal-China Cross-border Railway (Jilong-Kathmandu) Project, and the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project (Phase II) were also reviewed.

An agreement was recently signed for widening an 8.2-kilometer stretch of the Ring Road in Kathmandu, with China providing approximately 11 billion Nepalese rupees in grant support. Other projects under discussion included the Bir Hospital Extension Project, tunnels, the Hilsa Bridge, Damak Industrial Park, and the Narayanghat-Butwal Road Improvement Project. The Hilsa bridge construction is complete and awaiting handover.

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An understanding was reached on taking specific measures to expedite timely and effective implementation of those programmes and projects that require immediate attention.