In the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2081/82 presented on Tuesday, Finance Minister Barshman Pun announced a significant allocation of NPR 29.88 billion to expand the vital East-West Highway. Addressing the joint house of the Federal Parliament, he stated that the upgrading of several key sections, including Kakdavitta-Laukhi, Kamla-Dhalkevar-Pathalaiya, Narayangadh, Butwal, Gorusinge, and Bhaluwang Lamhi roads, will commence in the coming year.
Minister Pun affirmed that the expansion of the Narayangadh-Butwal and Kamala-Kanchanpur sections of the East-West Highway to four lanes would be completed during the next fiscal year. Additionally, the Mahadevtar, Dhedre, and Lendanda tunnels of the Kathmandu-Tarai Madhesh fast track are slated for completion, with a budget allocation of NPR 22.54 billion for this project.
Emphasizing the government's commitment to infrastructure development, the minister announced a budget of NPR 3.68 billion to complete 75 kilometers of blacktop roads and 10 bridges on the Mid Hill Highway in the coming year. Similarly, NPR 3.3 billion has been allocated for the construction of 75 kilometers of blacktop roads and 10 bridges on the Hulaki road.
In a bid to accelerate the development of the Koshi, Kaligandaki, and Karnali corridors, the budget envisages paving 50 kilometers of the Kaligandaki corridor and 30 kilometers of the Koshi corridor in the next fiscal year. Additionally, NPR 4.3 billion has been earmarked for the construction of 5 bridges and the upgrading of 50 kilometers of roads on the Karnali Corridor.
The budget also allocates NPR 3.6 billion to advance the remaining work on the Madanbhandari Highway and NPR 4.3 billion for the North-South Corridor. Furthermore, the government plans to upgrade another 40 kilometers of the Nagadhunga-Naubise-Mugling section and initiate the expansion of the Mugling-Ambukhaireni road, while completing the upgrading of the Ambukhaireni-Pokhara road.
Other infrastructure projects outlined in the budget include the upgradation of the Bheri, Tamor, Mahakali Corridor Seti Lokmarg, and Saljhandi-Sandhikhark-Dhorpatan Road, with a budget allocation of NPR 3.86 billion. The upgradation of the Galchi-Safrubensi road will be completed next year, and the upgradation of the Safrubensi-Rasuwagadhi road will begin, with a budget of NPR 1.8 billion.
The government also plans to conduct a feasibility study for a padway system from Bimalnagar on the Prithvi Highway to Liligkot, Barpak, Bungkot, Gorkha Bazar, and Mankamana Benighats in Gorkha, and take forward an investment framework for the project.
Additionally, the budget aims to complete the construction of 150 bridges under the National Highway Strategic Road, as well as the Sisnekhola-Nagadhunga road construction, Siddhababa tunnel, and Gwarko flyover in the next fiscal year. The construction of the Koteshwar Intersection will also commence, with a budget allocation of NPR 5.63 billion for the construction of tunnels, flyovers, and intersections.
Overall, the government has increased the budget for physical infrastructure and transportation from NPR 1.31 trillion to NPR 1.50 trillion, reflecting its commitment to enhancing the nation's infrastructure and connectivity.
