Finance Minister discusses podway, rail, and air transport at Global Transport Forum, emphasizes infrastructure development

KATHMANDU: Addressing at the Global Sustainable Transport Forum, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel emphasized the crucial role of transport infrastructure in driving economic growth and improving citizens’ living standards.

He reiterated Nepal’s strong commitment to developing a sustainable and reliable transport system, highlighting ongoing efforts in this sector.

Minister Paudel noted that given Nepal’s geographical landscape, it is essential to develop not only road networks but also railways, air transport, and modern cable cars.

He also highlighted the importance of podway.

Podway is the cheapest transportation method so far. It is 50% less expensive than a cable car and 4% less expensive than a metro rail. This is done at a cost of 15% of that of monorail. This path is even lower than the last one.

In some places, a request has already been made to carry forward the feasibility study and preparation of detailed project report (DPR).

In particular, podway is a technology based on wire (cable). It is said to be another and state-of-the-art form of cable car.

In other words, it is also the latest and state-of-the-art structure of the train. It has been considered as a new technology developed in the field of public transport.

If successful, the introduction of the podway system could mark a significant step forward in creating smarter, more sustainable urban environments, paving the way for future innovations in transportation.

The project is being closely watched by urban planners and transport officials worldwide as a potential blueprint for modern urban mobility solutions.

He stressed the need for expanding domestic and foreign investments to foster sustainable transport infrastructure.

He explained that enhancing transport infrastructure would not only ease the lives of ordinary citizens but also make Nepal’s international trade more competitive, providing local products with better access to both domestic and international markets.

Minister Paudel also discussed how systematic urbanization, green initiatives, and settlement development could contribute to achieving sustainable development goals by 2030.

He shared that Nepal’s policy aims to expand the use of electric vehicles (EVs) for environmentally friendly and sustainable transport.

To facilitate this, the government is advancing initiatives for the construction of EV infrastructure, along with revenue incentives for importing electric vehicles.

Minister Paudel expressed a desire to attract international technology and investment for domestic EV production.

The Global Sustainable Transport Forum, which commenced today, features the participation of high-level delegations from various countries, including Nepal.

Alongside Minister Paudel, the Nepali delegation includes Surendra Yadav, Nepal’s Acting Ambassador to China, and Mahesh Bhattarai, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Finance.