House panel slams Ministry for poor roads

Kathmandu, Oct. 25: The Development Committee of the Legislature-Parliament Tuesday blamed the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) for failing to improve the condition of roads that have gone to rack and ruin.

Likewise, the House committee rapped the National Vigilance Centre (NVC) for failing to punish the people involved in misappropriating the budget allocated for development activities.

Committee chairman Rabindra Adhikari said that the NVC should stay vigilant to improve the performance of government agencies.

"It should be more active and watch the infrastructure sector," he added.

Expressing serious concern about the deteriorating condition of the national highways and strategic roads, the Committee directed the government to ensure road safety through their timely maintenance and repair.

The Committee directed the MoPIT and Department of Roads (DoR) to ensure better roads to minimise accidents and manage the traffic in a better way.

The Committee meeting held discussion with the stakeholders about the status, maintenance, upgradation and work progress of the Rasuwagadhi road, Pokhara-Beni-Jomsom-Korola road, Araniko Highway, Karnali Corridor, Chainpur-Taklakot road and Postal Highway.

 "The road network has not been properly upgraded and maintained while the number of vehicles is ever increasing, which have resulted in the rise of accidents in recent years," said Adhikari.

He directed the ministry to be more sensitive about infrastructure development and result oriented.

The Committee asked the government to develop and expand the East-West Highway to make it safe and modern and upgrade the first phase of the Postal Highway into a dedicated double lane highway.

"The government should establish a Mobile Maintenance Division for the repair of roads, fill up manholes and carry out other necessary works," said Adhikari.

Similarly, it asked the government to expedite the construction of the Mid-Hill Highway.

The meeting expressed concern about the roads connecting the northern border points and directed the government to provide sufficient budget and expedite construction of the Jomsom-Hilsa road, Manang-Mustang-Dolpa-Jumla road, Benighat-Arughat-Larke road, Mahakali Corridor and Beni-Jomsom road.

The Committee has decided to form seven sub-committees to study the status of roads in the seven provinces and asked the NVC to provide technical assistance for the study.