Author: space4knews

Although the government has emphasized tunnel infrastructure as a priority in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget speech, actual allocations have decreased, limited to NPR 670 million. For the next fiscal year, NPR 200 crore is allocated for the Nagdhunga tunnel and NPR 50 crore for the Siddhababa tunnel. Over the past years, the budget provision for tunnel development in Nepal has been consistently declining.

May 11, Kathmandu – The government, in the budget speech for fiscal year 2083/84, announced high priority for tunnel infrastructure. The speech included plans from Tokha-Chahare to Thankot-Chitlang routes. However, the allocations show a decrease compared to the current fiscal year. In the current year, excluding Nagdhunga tunnel, NPR 688 million was allocated for other projects, whereas for the upcoming year, only NPR 670 million has been provisioned.

This year’s budget speech mentioned conducting a detailed feasibility study for the Tokha-Chahare tunnel route, a program that was also included in the current year. The allocation for this study was NPR 2.7 million this year, but for the next year it is reduced to NPR 1.148 million, indicating nominal budgeting that merely sustains the projects.

For the upcoming fiscal year, 12 projects related to tunnel development have been allocated budgets, down from 15 in the current year. The government has even reduced the number of projects. Budget allocation for tunnel development programs is NPR 37.7 million for the new year, compared to NPR 89.98 million this year.

Proposed feasibility studies for various tunnels have been allocated NPR 190,000 next year, compared to NPR 450,000 in the current year. Moreover, for the feasibility study of the tunnel from Bheri River in Surkhet to Danuwa Tal in Bardiya, NPR 560,000 has been allotted for the next fiscal year, down from NPR 1.35 million this year.

The Dolalghat-Charnawati tunnel will receive NPR 1.89 million next year, whereas this year it was allocated NPR 4.5 million. Similarly, the Khurkot-Chiyabari tunnel is allotted NPR 392,000, compared to NPR 900,000 previously. The Shivpur-Bhaluwang and Ranighat Bhurigau tunnels are budgeted NPR 392,000 each, down from NPR 900,000 in the current year.

The Siddhababa tunnel receives NPR 500 million in the upcoming year, slightly increased from NPR 485 million in the current year. The government declared in the budget speech its intention to complete and operationalize this project in the new fiscal year.

The Gwarko-Satdobato Ekantakata flyover is allocated NPR 124.8 million for the next year, compared to NPR 95.2 million this year. However, projects such as Dumkivas-Bardghat, Hemja-New Bridge, New Baneshwar underpass, and tunnel studies from Fuskhel Chorepatan to Syangja Gudikola are not included in the upcoming year’s allocations.

Currently, apart from Nagdhunga and Siddhababa tunnels, tunnels are being constructed on the Kathmandu-Tarai Madhesh Expressway, where the government has made a consolidated budget allocation. This project is under implementation by the Nepal Army. A total of NPR 1.764 billion has been allocated for roads, bridges, and tunnel construction on this expressway.

Budget Announcements for Tunnel Development

• Conduct detailed feasibility studies for the Tokha-Chahare tunnel.
• Study feasibility of the Marge tunnel from Mulsam in Jajarkot to Jumla Topla to improve life in Karnali.
• Feasibility studies for the Khurkot-Chiyabari, Thankot-Chitlang, Majhimtar-Shaktikhor, and Chisapani-Babai tunnel constructions.

Despite the government’s attractive presentation of tunnel projects in the budget speech, budget allocations suggest that these projects are not prioritized. The largest shares are reserved only for tunnel projects, such as Nagdhunga and Siddhababa, which are nearing completion. Consequently, this budget is unlikely to significantly facilitate immediate construction of new tunnels to ease transportation.

NPR 200 Cr Allocated for Nagdhunga Tunnel

The government has allocated NPR 200 crore for the Nagdhunga tunnel in the upcoming fiscal year, down slightly from NPR 210 crore in the current year. This budget will cover tunnel construction, road building, land acquisition, and other administrative expenses. Additionally, the budget includes provisions for maintenance, operation, and management of the tunnel.

Steady Decline in Tunnel Budget Allocations

While tunnel development is claimed as a priority, budget allocations have steadily decreased. In fiscal year 2080/81, NPR 194 crore was allocated for 23 tunnel projects. In 2081/82, the budget dropped to NPR 81.14 crore. This year it further declined to NPR 68.8 crore and is now limited to NPR 67 crore for the upcoming year.

Author: Achyut Puri
Achyut Puri is an economic journalist actively producing written materials on tourism and civil aviation topics.

May 11, Dhangadhi – Bajura residents have erupted in protest after authorities failed to take action against individuals who assaulted local representatives from Humla upon their arrival in Lampata, Himalayan Rural Municipality-3, Bajura. Since Wednesday, locals have been demonstrating at Dhulachaur, the administrative center of the Himalayan Rural Municipality. Protesters are demanding the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the assault on Chief Administrative Officer Kulbahadur Thapa, Ward No. 3 member Pemagara Gurung, and others. They have set tires on fire in the streets, effectively halting vehicular traffic in Dhulachaur. This blockade has also caused complications for pilgrims traveling to Kailash Mansarovar.

A group of 18 pilgrims from Kathmandu, including Sukra Tamang from Thulung Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu, reported encountering difficulties due to the local agitation. According to Tamang, their bus arrived in Dhulachaur at 5 a.m. Thursday via the Karnali Corridor Road, but was prevented from proceeding because the road was blocked by locals. The group is now continuing their journey on foot towards Mansarovar. Other pilgrims passing through Dhulachaur have also been forced to proceed on foot.

Laxman Pudasaini, Deputy Chief District Officer of Bajura, informed that locals have been protesting in Dhulachaur since Wednesday. He stated that Bajura police, with assistance from Humla police, are searching for those involved in the assault. On May 17, individuals from Humla came to Lampata village and assaulted Ward member Pemagara Gurung and others, taking them hostage. Additionally, a tourism promotion group led by Dhangadhi Mayor Gopal Hamal was pelted with stones at Ranisain. A few days ago, stone fences constructed by locals in Ranisain were destroyed and set on fire. Residents are demanding an impartial investigation into the incidents and legal action against those responsible for arson, assault, and looting. On Wednesday, locals in the headquarters Martadi also held protest demonstrations in opposition to the events.

National College, affiliated with Kathmandu University, has launched a new undergraduate program aimed at producing skilled professionals in international relations and diplomacy. Former Ambassador and Professor Dr. Sridhar Khatri emphasized the need for diplomatically skilled young individuals to effectively present Nepal’s agenda on the global stage. Program head Shweta Karki shared that the curriculum includes diplomatic simulations, educational tours, and internships to provide practical knowledge to students. The announcement was made on 28 Jestha in Kathmandu.

Dr. Sridhar Khatri, former ambassador of the United States to Nepal, highlighted the necessity of youth equipped with international perspectives and diplomatic expertise to represent Nepal’s interests effectively worldwide. He expressed these views at the inauguration ceremony of the Bachelor in International Relations and Diplomacy (BIRD) program launched by National College in affiliation with Kathmandu University.

The college introduced this new undergraduate course with the objective of nurturing capable professionals in fields such as international relations, diplomacy, foreign policy, commerce, political economy, and geopolitics. The event saw notable participation from diplomats, foreign affairs analysts, academics, government officials, and students.

During the program, Dr. Khatri observed that as global politics and economics grow increasingly complex, Nepal must develop a skilled workforce that can comprehend international affairs in depth. He described the international relations and diplomacy-focused undergraduate program as a timely initiative for Nepal, expressing confidence that it will prepare future generations to understand worldwide challenges and opportunities.

Principal Madhav Prasad Nyaupane of the college explained that in Nepal, there has been a lack of specialized undergraduate programs for students interested in diplomacy and international relations. The BIRD program aims to fill this gap by equipping students not only with theoretical knowledge but also with skills in policy making, international dialogue, and diplomatic practice.

Program head Shweta Karki provided additional insights into the curriculum, noting the inclusion of diplomatic simulations, regional study visits, internships, and policy analysis exercises. “Our goal is to enable students to connect the knowledge learned inside the classroom with real-world situations,” she said.

The ceremony also featured remarks from former Ambassador Dr. Dinesh Bhattarai, foreign affairs analyst Dr. Nishchalnath Pandey, and retired Chief Strategist Dr. Purnabahadur Silwal. They highlighted the increasing necessity for institutionalized diplomatic education amid a changing global environment, expressing the view that this new program will further strengthen the field of international studies in Nepal.

Additionally, former Dean of Kathmandu University’s School of Arts, Professor Dr. Mahesh Baskota, expressed confidence that the BIRD program will elevate research, policy analysis, and international academic collaborations to new heights.

May 11, Kathmandu – Ranju Darshan, a member of parliament from Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswap), has urged for a dedicated budget allocation to provide training for newly elected MPs. Speaking during a parliamentary session, she stated, “Although we have been approved by the public, many of us are experiencing parliamentary systems for the first time and thus lack sufficient experience. Therefore, I earnestly request that a separate budget be allocated specifically for our training.”

During the discussion on revenue and expenditure estimates, Darshan also expressed her satisfaction with the comprehensiveness of the budget and the projected economic growth rates. While appreciating these aspects, she emphasized the need to extend maternity leave. “Special attention must be given to pregnant and postpartum women. We urge that maternity leave be extended and that the budget prioritize establishing day care centers at every workplace,” she asserted.

Two Bangladeshi nationals preparing to travel to Malaysia were apprehended at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu while carrying illegal foreign currency worth NPR 3,151,000. The arrested individuals, Mohammad Intaj Ali and Md. Zakir Hossain, have been forwarded to the Revenue Investigation Department for further inquiry. (28 Jestha, Kathmandu)

The illegal currency was seized by security officials at Tribhuvan International Airport from a Batik Air flight bound for Malaysia. The police recovered Malaysian Ringgit, US Dollars, and Nepalese Rupees totaling NPR 3,151,000 from Mohammad Intaj Ali and Md. Zakir Hossain. The detainees were subsequently handed over to the Revenue Investigation Department located in Harihar Bhawan.

The Taliban have opened fire on women protesting in Afghanistan. The protest in Herat city erupted just days after the Taliban began arresting women accused of violating strict Islamic dress codes. Witnesses reported that the Taliban fired shots to disperse the demonstrators. Health workers have confirmed two fatalities, while Herat police deny any deaths, claiming no one has died. Independent verification of these accounts is currently impossible.