Author: space4knews

Police at Biratnagar Airport have seized 18.48 grams of brown sugar, an illegal narcotic, from a parcel sent from Kathmandu. The contraband was concealed within the sole of a sports shoe dispatched through a courier service located in Biratnagar-9. Authorities have apprehended 24-year-old Sushant Khadka in connection with the case and are conducting further investigations, according to the Morang police.

Biratnagar, July 29. During screening at the airport’s X-ray machine on Wednesday evening, police discovered the illegal substance hidden inside the sole of a sports shoe from a parcel sent via Expo Express Courier Service based in Mahendra Chowk, Biratnagar Metropolitan City-9, Morang District. The parcel was originally en route from Kathmandu.

In connection with the investigation, police arrested 24-year-old Sushant Khadka from Biratnagar-5, who had come to receive the parcel at the airport. Preliminary inquiries revealed that the parcel was sent from Kathmandu by Raghav Jha of Biratnagar, who is currently being sought by police. DSP Makendra Kumar Mishra, spokesperson for Morang police, stated that further investigations into Khadka are underway.

In Nepal, 647,744 citizens with disabilities face serious daily risks due to inaccessible roads, sidewalks, and public transportation infrastructures. Each year, approximately 1,200 to 1,500 people suffer spinal cord injuries from road accidents in Nepal, with 80 percent linked to such accidents. Experts emphasize that road construction should not only focus on vehicles but must incorporate ‘universal design’ to ensure access and safety for all citizens, calling for legal and policy reforms.

On July 28, 2019, Gautam Pokharel, Assistant Administrative Officer at Nepal Telecom, was returning to Naikap from the Nepal Association of the Blind office at Sukedhara via the Dhobi Khola corridor. During the rainy season, the road was filled with mud, and there was no safe path for pedestrians. Near the Capital Petrol Pump in Dhumbarahi, he fell into the river. His laptop was completely soaked. Had a stranger not rescued him in time, the incident could have been far more serious. This incident is a stark example of how our road infrastructure poses significant risks to visually impaired people.

Season Rai, who lives in Kamalvinayak, Bhaktapur, has experienced similar challenges. He regularly travels to Kathmandu for study and work. Many buses do not stop even after seeing him, and if they do, fellow passengers pressure him to board or disembark quickly. In some cases, drivers and assistants have ignored him. He has had to wait on the roadside for hours for transportation, missing college or office hours. Requests for rides on motorcycles or other vehicles often go unanswered, leaving him frustrated. Season’s experience shows that in the transportation sector, challenges go beyond physical infrastructure; behavioral attitudes also pose significant barriers for people with disabilities. According to the 2021 national census, Nepal has 647,744 citizens with disabilities who endure these daily hardships on roads, sidewalks, and public transportation. For them, roads are not merely means of travel, but tests filled with challenges and risks.

Discussions about road accidents in Nepal often focus on driver negligence, speeding, traffic violations, or vehicle conditions. However, an important yet less addressed factor is poor road infrastructure and the lack of accessibility-friendly structures. Journalist Gajendra Budhathoki points out, “Such inadequate accessibility structures not only cost thousands of lives but also change people’s futures. For survivors of accidents, another major challenge is the daily struggle with inaccessible roads and public transportation.”

The government has implemented the National Transport Policy 2083, prioritizing electric vehicles and climate-friendly infrastructure. The new policy includes strategies to create a safe system for reducing road accidents and an integrated emergency response structure for post-accident rescue. To strengthen public transport in urban areas, the government has proposed plans to expand mass transit systems, digital technology, and e-mobility.

Kathmandu, 13 Shrawan — The government has publicly released the National Transport Policy 2083, emphasizing electric vehicles (EVs) and climate-resilient engineered infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, the Cabinet approved this policy on 24 Ashad, replacing the earlier National Transport Policy 2058.

Through this new transport policy, the government commits to ensuring safe transportation systems for citizens. Moving forward, sustainable transport development will prioritize vehicles powered by electricity and alternative energy as well as green, climate-friendly infrastructure. Furthermore, the policy aims to develop an integrated network across all modes of transport—including road, rail, water transport, and ropeways (cables, chairlifts, ropeways)—based on a multimodal concept, fostering cooperation, efficiency, and coordination.

The government has requested an additional three months to address the demands of cooperative victims, committing to ensure the repayment of their savings within this period. Minister of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Pratibha Rawal, emphasized that savers should not be divided into small and large categories and stated that efforts are underway to refund all savers. Kushalbh KC, president of the National Campaign for the Protection of Cooperative Savers, after receiving the government’s assurance, announced an agreement to hold high-level discussions with the Home Minister on Monday. Kathmandu, 13 Shrawan.

The government has been granted three more months to respond to the demands of cooperative victims. Victims have urged Minister Pratibha Rawal of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs, and General Administration to ensure the repayment of savers’ deposits within this timeframe. The victims protested in Kathmandu on Monday and Tuesday, claiming that the government’s focus has been limited to only problematic cooperatives and that repayments have been made exclusively to small savers, leading to discrimination.

Following the protests, Minister Rawal conducted discussions on Tuesday. During the talks, she requested three months and stressed that savers should not be categorized as small or large. “Please give me six months since I took responsibility,” Minister Rawal stated. “If I cannot guarantee repayment even within that period, then I will accept defeat.”

Minister Rawal also informed the victims that a separate unit would be established to implement rulings related to cooperative fraud cases. Additionally, she assured that the police would initiate the formation of a dedicated unit within the Central Investigation Bureau to investigate assets related to cooperative fraudsters. Accepting the requested extension, Kushalbh KC confirmed that they have agreed to seek resolution through high-level discussions with the Home Minister on the upcoming Monday.

An agreement has been reached between the Sustainable Tourism Project of the Nepal Tourism Board and the Cultural Institution to promote cultural tourism along the Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga trekking routes. According to the agreement, various programs will be implemented from mid-July 2026 to late December 2026 to develop cultural products in these Himalayan destinations, aiming to provide direct economic benefits to local communities. Hikmat Singh Air, the national director of the project, emphasized that Nepal’s Himalayan trails are not only natural beauty hotspots but also centers of living culture and authentic identity. (13th July, Kathmandu)

The Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), a collaboration between the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Cultural Institution (National Dance Museum) have signed an agreement focused on developing cultural performance packages and promoting cultural tourism along the Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga trekking routes. The signing ceremony took place at the Tourism Board on Wednesday, attended by Hikmat Singh Air, Acting Executive Chief and National Program Director of STP, and Kiran Babu Pun, General Manager of the Cultural Institution.

Under this agreement, both organizations will work together to develop cultural heritage as tourism products, aiming to extend tourist stays in remote Himalayan destinations and ensure direct economic advantages for local communities through various initiatives. The project is scheduled to be implemented from mid-July 2026 to 14 December 2026. Within the project, the Cultural Institution will serve as the implementing partner for the “Development of Cultural Performance Packages for Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga Trekking Routes” program.

The agreement includes plans to conduct training on cultural package development, deploy cultural artists and resource persons, manage musical instruments and sound systems, present sample cultural performances, and organize exhibitions showcasing cultural packages along with local cultural development in the Api-Saipal and Kanchenjunga regions. Additionally, similar cultural performance package development programs will be carried out in Janakpur, Manaslu, and Lumbini areas. The project also incorporates singing training, talent showcases, and recording sessions tailored for individuals with varying skill levels.

Moreover, cultural exchange programs among cultural groups from the Api, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga regions are planned to connect local art, culture, and traditions with tourism. Following the agreement, Hikmat Singh Air, National Project Director of the Sustainable Tourism Project, highlighted that Nepal’s Himalayan trekking routes are centers not only of natural beauty but also of vibrant culture and original identity. According to him, the project aims to support cultural heritage preservation and diversify tourism products with local community participation, thereby helping to enhance the international competitiveness of Nepal’s emerging destinations.

Heavy rainfall has caused damage to tower number 41 of the Samudratar-Trishuli 3B 132 kV transmission line. With the tower impaired, the Nepal Electricity Authority has reported disruptions in the power flow from two hydroelectric projects connected to the national grid. The Authority has arranged an alternative supply route from the Chaugada substation to ensure continuous electricity delivery to consumers.

July 27, Kathmandu – A landslide triggered by intense rainfall has damaged tower 41 of the Samudratar-Trishuli 3B 132 kV transmission line, impacting the line’s operation. This damage has directly affected the electricity transmission from the 11 MW Suryakund Hydropower and the 5 MW Buddhbhumi Hydropower projects, both connected to the national grid, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority. Despite the issues on the transmission line, the Authority assures that consumers will not experience any power interruptions. A technical team is currently maintaining alternative arrangements via the Chaugada substation to provide uninterrupted electricity. Repair and reinforcement works on the damaged tower will commence soon.

Nepal Oil Corporation has officially commenced the construction of the largest petroleum storage facility in the nation, located in Lothar, Chitwan. Acting Executive Director Deepak Baral inaugurated the land preparation work for the first phase, assuring that the project will be completed within the designated timeframe. Upon completion, the facility will have a storage capacity of 91,900 kiloliters of fuel, which is expected to reduce transportation costs and technical leakages.

This initiative, aimed at enhancing long-term fuel supply security and increasing storage capacity, marks a strategic milestone for NPC. On Wednesday, Acting Executive Director Deepak Baral conducted a traditional land blessing ceremony in Lothar, Rapti Municipality, to formally kick off the first phase of the project. He stated, “Through an open competitive process, we have selected a construction company and initiated the first phase of this strategically important project.”

The project spans an area of 25 Bigha 7 Dhur. The initial phase focuses on preparing the land for construction. For this, the Corporation awarded the contract to ‘Motidhan-DS JV’ through an open competition for NPR 795.4 million. Deputy Director Pradeep Yadav noted, “We have instructed the construction company to work intensively day and night. Our goal is to complete all preliminary land preparation within 6 to 9 months and transfer the site to IOC.”

The project also includes the construction of a 62-kilometer petroleum pipeline from Amlekhgunj, Bara to Lothar, Chitwan. IOC will provide a grant of approximately NPR 428.8 million toward pipeline construction costs. Meanwhile, Nepal Oil Corporation will supply an estimated NPR 980 million for the storage facility construction. This project will enable sustainable fulfilment of fuel requirements for Bagmati and surrounding regions over a long term.

More than 10,000 depositors from 187 cooperatives under Kathmandu Metropolitan City have yet to receive over NPR 821 crore in refunds, recent figures reveal. The metropolitan office has facilitated refund settlements for 58 of these cooperatives, while recommending four be declared problematic, department head Dhruv Kafle reported. July 27, Kathmandu.

Thousands of depositors within Kathmandu Metropolitan City remain unable to reclaim their savings. As of the end of Ashad month, approximately 10,234 depositors from 187 cooperatives had not retrieved their bank deposits, causing widespread concern. According to metropolitan data, the total refundable amount demanded by these depositors stands at NPR 821,582,600.

Kushalbh KC, president of the National Campaign for Cooperative Depositor Protection, attributes the delays to cooperative administrators hiding assets and shirking responsibility, urging the government to take stringent action. He stated, “The Cooperative Act grants full authority to three levels of government, but due to lack of coordination between the upper and lower levels, declaring cooperatives as problematic has been difficult.”

Dhruv Kafle, head of the cooperative department at the metropolitan office, confirmed that out of 187 cooperatives, 58 have had their deposit refunds disbursed in installments through settlements. He added, “Recommendations have been made, but the municipal executive has yet to officially declare any cooperative as problematic.”

Recently, the metropolitan office published a list of 1,148 cooperatives that had lost contact; some have since re-established communication. There is currently no separate committee formed for managing problematic cooperatives, and according to department staff, the recommendation process is ongoing within the municipal executive office.

13th Shrawan, Kathmandu: Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal and National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal held a meeting in the Speaker’s office at Singha Durbar. According to the Speaker’s Secretariat, the discussion focused on ensuring the effective operation of Parliament. The talks also covered contemporary issues faced by the Federal Parliament, strengthening parliamentary procedures, and enhancing the legislative process.

The two-week session of the Federal Parliament had been previously postponed, with the House of Representatives set to resume its meetings from Thursday. In this context, on Wednesday, the government approved the submission of nine bills to the Federal Parliament. According to government spokesperson Sasmita Pokharel, a bill to amend the Act relating to remuneration, service conditions, and benefits of constitutional body officials (Act 2053) will be introduced.

The cabinet also sanctioned bills to amend and consolidate laws regarding mining and mineral materials, and to establish measures for the control of infectious animal diseases. Additionally, bills to amend the Passport Act 2076, the first amendment to the Act on Human Trafficking and Smuggling Control, and legislation concerning the prohibition and regulation of child labor will be presented to Parliament. Furthermore, bills relating to domestic air services responsibilities, amendment to the Reconciliation Act 2068, and amendment to the Employee Amendment Act 2019 have also received cabinet approval for parliamentary presentation.

Against this backdrop, the meeting between Speaker Aryal and National Assembly Chair Dahal marks a significant step toward making upcoming parliamentary sessions more effective.