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Several projects under the Lumbini Province government, costing millions, remain incomplete due to insufficient budget allocation.

Twenty lift drinking water supply projects, initiated in the fiscal year 2018/19, have stalled. These projects, requiring significant funding, have struggled to progress due to minimal budget allocation, according to Raj Kishor Mandal, Chief of the Water Supply and Sanitation Division in Pyuthan. While some work was completed in the initial years, the lack of consistent funding has left the projects classified as complex and unfinished.

“The work was completed as per the budget received in the first year,” Mandal said. “Due to irregular and insufficient funding, we have categorized 20 projects as complex drinking water projects.” He added that a request has been made to the ministry for additional funding to complete the projects and operationalize the water supply.

The Luplung Lift Drinking Water Project, with an estimated cost of Rs 54.515m, has so far spent only Rs 833,000 in Naubahini Rural Municipality-8. “Not a single penny has been allocated in the last two years,” said Hemanta Raj Bhandari, Chairperson of the project construction consumer committee. “One government allocated funds, and the next reduced them.” Despite budget constraints, the construction of three tanks and a pump house for the three-stage lift project, which began in 2019/20, has been completed.

Bhandari mentioned that the project’s bank account has been updated following reports that Rs 2m worth of pipes will be purchased from this year’s Rs 6.4m budget allocation, with the remaining funds used to continue construction. “We plan to sign an agreement by depositing one percent of the total amount on behalf of consumers. If funds are consistently provided and work progresses as scheduled, 380 households in Luplung will benefit.”

Efforts are underway to provide drinking water facilities through lift systems in water-scarce areas with no nearby water sources. Water shortages persist not only in rural regions but also in the district headquarters. The Jhimruk Large Lift Drinking Water Project, designed to serve Khalanga and surrounding areas, faces similar challenges. Estimated to cost Rs 98.269m, the project has already incurred Rs 18.3m in expenses. However, the five-stage lift project, initiated in 2019/20, has yet to become operational. If completed, it would benefit 557 households.

Lumbini Province’s Urban Development and Drinking Water Minister, Saroj Thapa, assured that funding will be secured for projects nearing completion. “Many projects have stalled due to budget shortages in previous years,” he said. “We will allocate funds based on project status—either by transferring funds within this fiscal year or incorporating them into next year’s budget.”

So far, Rs 224.73m has been spent on 20 drinking water projects, which have an estimated total cost of Rs 842m. However, none of these projects have been operationalized.

Additionally, under the Climate Adaptation Comprehensive Drinking Water Project, several projects have been classified as complex, including the Pangraghat, Pyuthan, Satmule Barjivang, Bangesal, and Hanspur Drinking Water Projects. These initiatives, launched in 2014/15, remain unfinished. To date, Rs 122.8m has been spent on these projects, which have a combined estimated cost of Rs 269m.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 11. 64 points to close at 2, 699. 81 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 55 points to close at 454. 49 points.

A total of 18,680,392-unit shares of 315 companies were traded for Rs 9. 24 billion.

Meanwhile, Upper Lohore Khola Hydropower Company Limited (ULHC)was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) and Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 47 trillion.

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.