Road safety priority increased, major infrastructure expansion underway: Minister Lamsal
Minister Lamsal stated that a comprehensive four-year road safety plan has already been formulated and implementation has begun.
KATHMANDU: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Sunil Lamsal has said that the government has placed significantly higher priority on road safety compared to previous administrations, amid ongoing criticism over rising road accidents.
Responding to lawmakers’ queries during Thursday’s House of Representatives session on budget allocations for his ministry, Minister Lamsal stated that a comprehensive four-year road safety plan has already been formulated and implementation has begun.
He said the government aims to upgrade all single-lane district roads connecting district headquarters into two-lane roads within the next three years. “Compared to earlier governments, we are paying far more attention to road safety. We have prepared a three-year road safety plan with adequate budget allocation,” he said, adding that Rs 4.74 billion has been earmarked for road furnishing under the plan.
According to the minister, Rs 11 billion has been allocated specifically for expanding single-lane district roads, with additional funding to be provided if required.
Lamsal also highlighted that the government has prioritized eliminating road accidents caused by narrow and unsafe roads. He stressed that budget constraints would not hinder infrastructure upgrading.
The government has also announced an ambitious plan to manage all identified landslide-prone areas and construct 3,000 new bridges within three years. For this purpose, Rs 23 billion has been allocated for landslide control and road safety works.
Acknowledging that Nepal’s highways remain unsafe, Minister Lamsal announced that safety structures such as underpasses, overpasses, and flyovers will now be made mandatory in all new road projects.
“All upcoming road tenders will include mandatory safety standards,” he said, adding that ongoing projects will also be upgraded through variation orders to include crash barriers, road markings, traffic signals, and other safety measures.
The ministry has also set a target to complete 3,000 bridges through the Local Infrastructure Department within three years, with a total allocation of Rs 81.22 billion. While only around 1,000 bridges are currently included in the budget, the remaining projects will be verified and funded progressively, he added.
The government reiterated its commitment to accelerating infrastructure development while improving road safety standards nationwide.
