The Ministry of Finance has given source approval for Rs 2.19bn for the repair and reconstruction of roads in Ilam that were damaged due to heavy rains. The amount will be spent on the repair and reconstruction of the damaged Mechi Highway, Mai khola Bridge Rajduwali, Mai khola Bridge Belbase, Puwakhola Bridge, Jogmaikhola Bridge, and Mechi Corridor. The Ministry of Finance has released the immediate requirement of Rs 540m for the current fiscal year. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development Kulman Ghising directed the Road Department to immediately proceed with the tender process as the resources have been ensured for the repair and reconstruction of road structures. The work will be implemented by the Road Division, Ilam, under the department.
After the monsoon-induced disaster that claimed 39 lives and caused major damage to physical infrastructure, the government declared Ilam as a ‘disaster-affected’ state for three months. On Oct 11, a team comprising Minister Ghising, Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma, Home Secretary Rameshwor Dangal, Director General of the Roads Department Vijay Jaisi, and Chief Executive Officer of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority Dinesh Raj Bhatta reached Ilam and inspected the damage caused by the disaster. The team pledged to provide immediate relief to the affected households, restore normal life by immediately repairing the damaged structures, and bring in the necessary immediate and long-term plans.
A source of Rs 200m has been ensured for the Maikhola Motorable Permanent Bridge Rajduwali under the Mechi Highway, Rs 250m for the Mai khola Motorable Permanent Bridge Belase in the Mechi Corridor, Rs 50m each for the construction of Bailey Bridges on the Puwakhola and Jogmaikhola Bridges, and Rs 140m for the Mechi Corridor, which is an alternative road to the Mechi Highway. Out of this, Rs 250m for the Mechi Highway, Rs 500m and Rs 100m for Maikhola Rajduwali and Maikhola Bridge Belase respectively, and Rs 400m for the Mechi Corridor have been released immediately in the current fiscal year. The entire amount required for the two Bailey Bridges has been released.
