Kathmandu, September 14
The government says it has stepped up work to restore damaged road networks in flood-affected areas and aims to bring them back into operation by October.
The government is currently prioritising temporary alternative roads, suspension bridges and cable crossings in the affected areas. It plans to begin construction of permanent roads and bridges once immediate connectivity is restored.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives from flood-affected areas at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday, Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal said the government had formed eight thematic task forces to accelerate the construction of roads and bridges.
Lamsal urged local representatives to coordinate directly with the task forces to avoid duplication and help speed up reconstruction efforts.
He also asked local representatives who were in Kathmandu for the meeting to coordinate directly with officials of agencies under his ministry. They should provide details of damaged infrastructure in their respective areas, help prepare plans, coordinate construction and follow up on progress, he said.
According to Lamsal, work is also underway to restore drinking water systems in the affected areas by December.
The government is also working on the reconstruction of health, education and other essential infrastructure in the flood-hit areas, he said.
Information and Communications Minister Bikram Timilsina, who is also a member of the House of Representatives from Nuwakot, raised concerns about non-governmental organisations making commitments to build houses for flood victims and provide protection to senior citizens and children without proper coordination.
He said such organisations should carry out their activities only in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
Timilsina also suggested that local representatives collect comprehensive data on all affected people and submit it to the government on time to ensure that no victims are left out of relief and reconstruction programmes.
