Yami's ambitious infrastructure plan

Yami's ambitious infrastructure plan
eKantipur.com, 20-Jun-2007

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hisila Yami unveiled a "Vision Document" on Wednesday, setting out ambitious targets for massive expansion of road, water and sanitation and housing infrastructure in the country.

According to the document, which has set targets for the next one, three and 20 years, all settlements in the hills and plains will have road access at a walking distance of not more than four hours and two hours respectively by the next 20 years; the country's population will have cent percent access to drinking water by 2017; and all people will have concrete houses by the next 20 years. "My ministry arrived at this vision document through intensive discussion, and we will implement it," said Yami, talking to the Post.

12 district HQs to have roads in 3 yrs

The document has set a deadline of three years for connecting 12 more district headquarters by roads. The districts are Jajarkot, Manang, Mustang, Diktel, Solukhumbu, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, Bajura, Bajhang, Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha. Within the deadline, the government will also build "with priority" the Shahid Marg from Ghorahi to Thawang in Rolpa district.

Two railways, one from Birgunj to Haldiya via Raxaul-Calcutta, and the other from Birgunj to Katihar via Raxaul, will also be built by this time, Yami said. Additionally, at least 10 transit corridor points with China and 22 with India will be developed. The 1,700-km mid-hill highway will also be developed during this period.

In Kathmandu, the inner ring road will be built, study and design for an outer ring road will be completed, and several corridors, including Bagmati, Bishnumati, Manahara and Dhobikhola corridors will be built. The ministry will repair 4,200 kilometers of existing roadway in one year alone.

Drinking water for all by 2017

While targeting completion of Melamchi project on time, the ministry has said it will promote rainwater harvesting at the household level in Kathmandu.

In one year, some 350,000 people will be provided basic drinking water through completion of some 80 ongoing projects, while an additional 145,000 people will be provided quality drinking water through completion of another 10 projects under Small Town Drinking Water and Sanitation Program.

Similarly, with construction of water treatment plants in Dhulabari and Gauradaha in Jhapa, and Mangad in Morang, 65,000 more people will be supplied quality drinking water.

Meanwhile, in the next three years, 1.6 million Nepalis will be supplied with basic drinking water through completion of 269 projects; 415,000 Nepalis will be supplied quality water in small towns; while another 700,000 people in 21 districts will be supplied basic drinking water. Within this period, an additional 2.5 million people will have access to sanitation facilities.

By 2017, the government plans to provide cent percent access to drinking water to the country's population.

Concrete houses for all in 20 yrs

By the next three years, 15 model villages will be developed in the country, while 4,000 low-cost houses will be distributed to poor families. Settlements will be arranged for all squatters and Kamaiyas within this period.

Meanwhile, in the next 20 years, satellite towns will be developed around Kathmandu Valley to ease population density here. By this time, all people will be settled in concrete houses through implementation of a National Housing Plan.