Nepal's new transport drive

Nepal is establishing a new framework through which it will be able to boost the efficiency of its transportation plans and investments. The Nepalese Government is allocating around US$375 million to the Department of Roads (DoR) for constructing the country’s strategic road network. Nine road sections in the Kathmandu valley will be widened, Putalisadak-Kamalpokhari, Kamalpokhari-Ratopul, Lainchour-Sorhakhute,Maitighar-Banewshwore,Naghpokhari-Balaju bypass, Naxal-Narayanchour, Dillibazzar-Baluwatar-Maharajgunj. The Nepalese Government has appointed Dinkar Sharma as the new director general of the DoR and his brief is to revamping the body to boost efficiency, as well as ridding it of malpractice and corruption. Sharma is a government official who has worked at the DoR for the last 33 years and has worked as an expert on 2332 World Bank and ADB funded projects as well. Sharma will also closely work for the road-widening initiative in the Kathmandu Valley, which will improve the nine road sections and help tackle congestion in the city. Sharma will also take action against consultants and contractors who are underperforming or delaying projects and offenders will be black listed under the country’s Public-Procurement Act.