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The Health Ministry of Bagmati Province has officially set the new fare for ambulance services in accordance with the National Ambulance Guidelines, 2078 BS.

The decision was made following a ministerial-level meeting held on January 21.

Ambulance management committees in all 13 districts of the province have been informed about the revised fare structure.

The new fare for distances within five kilometers has been set between Rs 300 and Rs 500 considering this as geographic flag distance, as stated by Dr Khageshwor Gelal, Chief of the Ministry’s Medical Services Division.

The public continues to suffer due to the prolonged delay in the construction of the Gwarko Flyover in Lalitpur, attributed to the negligence of officials from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the Road Department. The Quality Research and Development Center of the Road Department issued a tender under the EPC model in 2021, aiming to complete the project within two years.

A contract was awarded to Ashish-Samanantar-Religare JV in 2021. At the time, Prabhat Kumar Jha was the project head. However, he later stepped down, and a series of officials, including Kailash Kumar Shrestha, Navinman Shrestha, Ajay Mul, and Nareshman Shakya, took over the role. Surprisingly, Jha has now returned as project head, raising concerns among ministry employees.

“There were vested interests behind Jha’s reinstatement as project chief,” a ministry official told Annapurna. Frequent changes in project leadership and the personal agendas of officials have significantly delayed construction. Road Department spokesperson Arjun Prasad Aryal confirmed that work has been stalled for several days but claimed ignorance about the reason. “I have summoned the project chief for discussions. I can provide details only after speaking with him,” Aryal said.

The construction team has accused Jha of disregarding progress made by previous project chiefs, delaying work by failing to implement pre-approved designs, lab tests, and quality assurance plans. His refusal to follow existing technical plans has escalated costs and further pushed back the completion timeline.

Jha has also ordered a re-testing of the previously approved quality assurance plan without justification, forcing the creation of a new plan. This, according to the construction company, will further delay completion and inflate costs. The project, originally tendered by the Road Department’s Quality Research and Development Center based on Geocom Company’s design and cost estimates, was initially projected to cost Rs 230m to Rs 250m. However, it was contracted for Rs 176m. So far, Rs 440m has been spent, with an additional Rs 150m needed for completion.

A senior Road Department official alleged that Jha’s reinstatement was influenced by personal ties, stating, “The company that prepared the project’s design and cost estimate is linked to Jha’s son-in-law. He leveraged this connection to regain his position as project chief.”

Adding to concerns, Jha reportedly ordered the use of substandard materials, against geotechnical engineers' advice, jeopardizing the flyover’s structural integrity. For instance, temporary casing—normally unnecessary in areas with soil—was installed, requiring an imported machine that cost Rs 3m and took three months to arrive, further inflating expenses. Road Department employees have remained silent about the rationale behind this decision.

Officials claim Jha deliberately set unnecessary standards to obstruct approvals and harbored a personal grudge against the construction company. Even the minister is aware of Jha’s mismanagement, and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority is monitoring the situation.

Terre Armée, a company involved in major infrastructure projects, has been providing design, supervision, and construction materials for the Gwarko Flyover. However, Jha has reportedly threatened the company, warning of consequences if it does not comply with his directives.

While the Road Department has also held the contractor accountable for flaws in the project, officials accuse Jha of using excuses—such as rejecting a two-year-old quality assurance plan and demanding repeated design reviews and lab tests—to stall progress. These tactics, they claim, have demoralized the construction team and served his personal interests.

A ministry official further alleged that Jha is spreading misinformation about the construction company to justify further delays. “He is briefing the ministry with false claims, blaming the company to cover his own failures,” the official said.

With delays mounting and costs skyrocketing, the Gwarko Flyover remains unfinished, leaving the public to bear the consequences of bureaucratic inefficiency and vested interests.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 600 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 168, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 166, 900 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1, 980 per tola today.

RECCO, a global leader in advanced rescue technology, has deployed its SAR Helicopter Detector system in Nepal, marking the 11th country to integrate this cutting-edge search-and-rescue technology. In collaboration with Simrik Air, the system aims to enhance search efforts for missing persons in the Himalayas.

Simrik Air crews and Nepali rescue specialists recently underwent extensive training on the RECCO system. The training was conducted in January by Bruno Jelk, former head of mountain rescue in Zermatt, alongside rescue specialist Matthias Hofer and RECCO instructor Tshering Pande Bhote, President of the Nepal Mountain Instructors Association (NMIA). The training included pilots from Simrik Air—Capt Siddartha Jung Gurung, Capt Surendra Paudel, and Capt Bimal Sharma Sapkota—along with six mountain guides from the Nepal National Mountain Guides Association (NNMGA) and other Nepalese rescue experts.

“The RECCO system appears to be highly helpful for rapid search and rescue operations in the Himalayas,” said Tul Singh Gurung, President of NNMGA. “The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector will be more effective in search and rescue operations for missing people. Since the helicopter can fly up to 6,000 meters, we can also employ the detector in case of avalanche accidents at high altitudes. I want to express my gratitude to the RECCO family and the teaching team.”

The training covered both low-altitude searches in open terrain around Pokhara and high-altitude searches in snow-covered and crevassed areas in the Chumrung and Annapurna Base Camp region. More operators will be trained in the coming months to expand the system’s reach.

The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector enables rapid, large-area searches for missing individuals year-round, scanning up to one square kilometer in just six minutes. Since its introduction in 2016, the system has proven effective for locating lost hikers, trekkers, and mountaineers, reducing search times and minimizing risks for rescue teams. It complements the RECCO handheld detector, which is already widely used in Nepal.

“For over a decade, RECCO handheld detectors have been utilized in Nepal,” said Capt Siddartha Jung Gurung of Simrik Air. “The RECCO SAR system will contribute to saving lives here in Nepal. We’ll be able to locate you if you’re carrying a rescue reflector, whether you’re a trekker or a mountaineer in need of rescue.”

Currently, 10 handheld detectors are positioned with key rescue partners, including NMIA, NNMGA, Simrik Air, Seven Summit Treks, Heli Everest, Imagine Nepal, and Adventure 6000. These devices are also dispatched to 8,000-meter peak base camps at the start of each climbing season, enabling rapid response to avalanches and missing person incidents.

Starting with the 2024 climbing season, new regulations in Nepal mandate that all climbers on peaks above 6,000 meters carry search-and-rescue equipment. The RECCO reflector is one such option that meets these requirements, ensuring climbers are searchable in case of emergencies.

“The addition of the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector in Nepal is an important milestone to make more people searchable year-round,” said Fredrik Steinwall, CEO of RECCO. “Our technology is designed to make rescue operations faster and safer, and with this new system, we’re proud to enhance safety in the Himalayas. Together, we’re better equipped than ever to support local rescue teams and the growing number of adventurers in the region.”

RECCO reflectors are embedded in outdoor gear from over 150 leading brands, including Nepali brand Everest Outfit. Other international brands like SCARPA, Kailas, Millet, Blackyak, and Asolo also integrate reflectors into their high-altitude equipment.

Attachable RECCO reflectors can be purchased online or locally through Samatra Trading in Kathmandu, as well as from NNMGA, NMIA, and Everest Outfit’s shop in Thamel.

At least 11 persons were injured after a cooking gas cylinder exploded at a momo shop in Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu on Thursday.

Among the injured, two persons are in critical condition, according to District Police Range, Kathmandu.

Superintendent of Police, Apil Bohara, informed that those injured in the explosion have been taken to the Burn Hospital, Kirtipur for treatment.

The Duke of Edinburgh met a diverse range of participants undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Kathmandu today.

The Award, established in Nepal for ten years, has benefited over 6,000 young people through building lifelong skills and experiences, and is implemented by a team of over 500 volunteers.

At the British Embassy, The Duke presented 19 young Nepalis with the Gold Award (and two were awarded in absentia) – the highest achievement in the Award program and a culmination of hard work and self-development by the young people, reads a statement issued by the British Embassy in Kathmandu.

Separately The Duke met young participants from a range of backgrounds – including young people from government schools, the Scouts, SOS Children’s Villages, and those from underprivileged communities who benefit from the program funding from the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, of which the Duke is Chair of Trustees.

 At the award ceremony His Royal Highness said, “To achieve your Gold Award takes courage, commitment and tenacity – you should be exceptionally proud of what you’ve achieved.”

 Finally, at an evening reception hosted by His Majesty’s Ambassador Rob Fenn, the Duke and Duchess met over 200 people who represent the UK-Nepal friendship.

With a particular focus on young people and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, the Duke and Duchess interacted with a range of young people, including: those who are participating in the Awards, young entrepreneurs, women’s rights activists, tech experts, recipients of UK honors and Nepalis and Brits who represent a new generation of friendship between our countries.

At the reception, Sue Layden – whose father was the first director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the UK and led the first successful Everest expedition - announced a new initiative that will support 10 young people to do their Award expedition in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area where they will work with local schools and on a red panda conservation project.

Bhojpur, a district in the eastern hilly region of Nepal, is famous for khukuri. The Bhojpure khukuri, an essential weapon, made in the district is known across the country and abroad.

However, the khukuri industry is facing existential challenges in recent times owing to lack of artisans and raw materials.

The shortage of skilled persons to prepare khukuri is likely to grow more because of the exodus of youths. The youths who used to get skills from the earlier generation are opting for foreign jobs and study at present, said Ghanashyam Bishwokarma, one who runs a furnace to prepare khukuri.

"The number of furnaces used to heat and beat metal to prepare the popular weapon, khukuri, has radically declined in the district," he added. 

The areas producing the weapon are- Kot, Dalgaon, Gogane, Khawa, Khairang, Taksar, Bokhim, Danwa, Timma, Dingla, Deurali, and Jarayotar in the district.

The entrepreneurs complained that the raw materials like coal and sal wood were in short supply while the skilled workforce was also in severe decline, thereby creating the existential crisis of Bhujpure khukuri.

Proprietor of Ranjita Khukuri Industry, Dinesh Gajmer, said, "It is difficult to find artisans, resulting in a slump in khukuri production. However, there is growing demand for the weapon. The workforce available at present are paid much for continuing the profession."

The Bhojpure khukuri is not only used as a weapon but as a gift and decoration.

Varieties of khukuris are produced in the district such as sirupate, banspate, chitlange, kothimuda, panwala, dharkhole and budune.

Hira Shrestha, who runs Urmila Furnace Industry, reminded, "When then King Mahendra visited Bhojpur in 2027BS, a local from Bokhim, Singha Bahadur BK, had gifted him a khukuri, which helped in huge publicity of this product."

In a local market, a khukuri is sold from Rs 800 to 1,800. The rural areas largely use budune and banspate types of khukuri. In addition to local use, this weapon is sold to Dharan, Udayapur, Sankhuwasabha and Kathmandu city as well.

The entrepreneurs have been demanding the governments for assisting in preservation of the khukuri industry.

Construction of the Lower Solukhola Hydropower Project has neared completion. The hydropower project of 82-megawatt capacity achieved 95 percent physical progress till date.

It is being built at Tingla in the district.

The construction of a power house, tunnel way and installation of turbine and generator, among others have been completed in the project promoted by Lower Solu Hydropower Company. Company manager Dharmendra Gotame said the breakthrough of the penstock tunnel would be made in near future.

"We are planning to launch the commercial production of hydropower coming July," he shared.

Even the transmission line has seen 80 percent progress. The project was launched since September 2016 with the investment of Rs 16 billion provided as loan by the European Bank (International Funding Agency) including FMO. The project's completion has been aimed before September 2025.

It is a reservoir-based project. The reservoir has been set up at Salme area of Solukhumbu. The water is supplied through a tunnel way to the powerhouse set up at Bhadaure of Tingla, located some 6-km away from Salme.

The estimated cost of the project would increase because of geographical difficulty and a long tunnel way.

There are 700 workers in the project. Even the locals have got jobs.

With the completion of the project, the national transmission line would receive 23MW power in winter, while 82WM power in the rainy season.