India-Nepal review progress of post-earthquake reconstruction projects

Nepal and India today held a Joint Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC) meeting on post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Kathmandu.

The meeting was co-chaired by secretary at the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Chandra Tiwari and joint secretary (North) at the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India Anurag Srivastava, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

The JPMC Mechanism was set up in August 2017 to monitor the progress of the Government of India-assisted post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal. The meeting was attended by representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the government, officers and officials of the Government of India, consultants and other stakeholders engaged in the implementation of the projects. The last JPMC meeting was held on March 8, 2020 in Kathmandu.

The meeting carried out a comprehensive review of the progress of Government of India assisted post-earthquake reconstruction projects in housing, education, health and cultural heritage sectors in Nepal, the press note reads, adding that both sides expressed satisfaction on the successful completion of 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, constructed under the Government of India's assistance in the housing sector. "Similarly, both sides also noted with appreciation the progress achieved in reconstruction projects being undertaken under education, cultural heritage and health sectors in Nepal."

The co-chairs agreed to hold the next meeting of the JPMC on a mutually-convenient date.

India and Nepal reviewed India-funded Terai Road Project

Nepal and India today took stock of the infrastructure projects funded by the Indian government.

The fourth Joint Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC) on Strengthening of Road Infrastructure in Terai Area of Nepal was held today via video-conferencing, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Joint Secretary (Northern Division) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Anurag Srivastava and joint secretary from Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Keshab Kumar Sharma co-chaired the fourth JPMC meetings.

The JPMC meeting reviewed the overall implementation of the government of India funded Terai Roads project in Nepal and expressed satisfaction at the good progress achieved with the completion of 13 out of 14 road packages. "Both sides noted that despite the challenges posed by Covid pandemic, the project has made good progress and is in the final stages of completion," the press note reads. 

India had committed Rs 800 cror (Rs 500 cror Indian Currency) in 2016 for construction of 10 roads -- divided into 14 packages/contracts -- with a total length of 306 km in Nepal's Terai. These roads connect the East-West Highway to Indian border, thereby increasing the ease of connectivity between the people of the two countries. "Both sides noted that, 13 out of 14 road packages have already been dedicated to the people of Nepal jointly by minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the ambassador of India to Nepal on March 31," the press note adds.

During the meeting, the Nepali side thanked India for the continued support for development of infrastructure in Nepal, particularly in the area of road connectivity. The Indian side expressed its happiness at the fruitful cooperation with Nepal and the joint efforts made towards strengthening connectivity infrastructure between the two countries.

The delegations, on the occasion, also agreed that the next JPMC meeting would be held on a mutually convenient date as per requirement.