Nepal, Switzerland partner for better connectivity through motorable bridges

 Nepal and Switzerland joined hands for better connectivity through motorable bridges.

An agreement to implement Motorable Local Bridges Programme (MLRBP) phase IV is signed and exchanged between joint secretary at the Finance Ministry Shree Krishna Nepal and Swiss ambassador in Nepal Elisabeth von Capeller, on behalf of their respective governments. The programme will start from January 2021 and end in December 2024, according to a press note issued by the Swiss Embassy in Kathmandu.

“Switzerland will contribute CHF 9'820'000 (approximately equivalent to Rs 1.27 billion) for the four-year programme in the form of technical assistance,” the press note reads, adding thatr the federal and provincial governments will finance the required funds for construction of around 200 new motorable bridges on provincial roads in the next four years. “The programme will be implemented by the province governments and will benefit around 1.5 million citizens through better access to economic opportunities and basic services using the provincial road network.”

Over the last nine years, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) provided technical assistance to build over 415 motorable bridges in Nepal. “These bridges on average reduced the transportation costs to schools, health posts, markets etc by 20 per cent to 25 per cent,” the press note reads.