SEPT 3, KATHMANDU. Progress of projects of ‘national pride’ operated in the fiscal year 2012/13 has not moved ahead in a satisfactory manner.Construction works of the projects have not moved ahead smoothly due to different problems including distribution of compensation of land acquired for that purpose.

The government in the current fiscal year has taken 17 projects as the projects of national pride.Of them, eight projects have witnessed 80 per cent progress so far, four projects 50-79.99 per cent progress and one project below 50 per cent progress. The progress of four projects has not been disclosed.

Kathmandu-Terai Madhes Fast Track, East-West Railway, Melamchi Drinking Water Project, Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, Sikta Irrigation Project, Mid-Hill Highway, among others, are the projects of national pride.

Pointing out the progress on the report submitted by the National Planning Commission in the 30th meeting of the NPC Development Problems Resolution Committee on Monday, it was argued that works related to the projects had not moved ahead in a satisfactory manner.

In the report, it was mentioned that works of the Kathmandu-Terai Madhes Fast Track have not progressed in a satisfactory manner due to obstruction in the environmental impact assessment at Khokana area and the Mid-Hill Highway due to adequate budget.

A total of Rs. 1.92 billion was allocated for the Highway.The report states that the works related to the projects of national pride have not witnessed progress due to various problems including distribution of compensation of land, evaluation of land and sufficient budget, among others. RSS