Over Rs 550 Billion Demanded for Reconstruction of Damages Caused by Disaster

The government has forwarded 504 different projects for reconstruction and restoration of the damages caused by Bhotekoshi, Kaligandaki and Budhigandaki flood and other monsoon-induced disasters. Total Rs 559.72 billion budget for these projects has been recommended at the Finance Ministry for the approval.

The 21st meeting of National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management held few days ago decided to recommend the Finance Ministry for the approval of the budget. Executive Chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Dr Dharma Raj Upreti, shared that budget categorized by ministerial headings has been sent at the Finance Ministry for approval.

Under the Ministry of Information and Communications, four programmes have been included for short-term planning and implementation which needs Rs 418 million budget. A total of Rs 452.4 million has been demanded for five planning and programmes involving medium and long-term planning and programmes.

The programmes—mobile BTS tower construction and operation, internet, satellite backup communication system development, among others have been incorporated. Similarly, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, six programmes of Rs 218.2 million budget has been demanded for short-term programme while Rs 993.7 million has been asked for six medium and long-term programmes.

The budget would be spent for the office management and service delivery of Fishery Research Centre, overall restoration and operation of province-based Livestock Service Office. Likewise, Rs 606.8 million budget has been demanded for three short-term programmes while Rs 193 billion for five medium and long-term programmes under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

The budget would be spent for reconstruction of water-level measurement centre, controlling Narayani River, solar installation, irrigation project restoration and construction. Likewise, Rs 2.53 billion budget has been asked for seven projects under the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The budget would be spent for construction school building, furniture, educational materials, ICT lab, library, among others. Under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, a total of 104 projects in the drinking water sector have been proposed with a budget request of Rs 1 billion 327 million for the plans and programmes that need to be carried out immediately.

Also, Rs 100 million has been requested for 21 projects for plans and programmes that need to be implemented immediately towards suspension bridges. Additionally, it is stated Rs 500 million is required for the construction of tuin (rope bridges). Under the same ministry, Rs 730 million has been requested for 19 projects for the reconstruction of damage caused by the floods between September 24 and 27.

For the reconstruction of suspension bridges, 21 projects have been selected under the medium- and long-term plans and programmes. A budget of 1.47 billion rupees has been requested for these projects. Also, 155 million rupees have been requested for five projects for the reconstruction of structures damaged by the floods of September 25-27.

Similarly, 50 million rupees have been requested for building the infrastructure of the suspension bridge affected by the flood in the Mahakali River on September 30. Under the same ministry, a budget of Rs 781.208 million has been requested for seven road projects after the damage caused by the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli floods.

For areas other than Bhotekoshi–Trishuli, a budget of Rs 374.7 billion has been requested for 47 road plans and programmes that need to be implemented immediately. Also, under the same ministry, a budget of Rs 48 billion 261 million 945 thousand has been requested for 32 road projects as part of the medium- and long-term plans and programmes for the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli flood-affected areas.

Similarly, a budget of 8 billion 385 million 14 thousand rupees has been requested for 142 projects for repair and maintenance of road infrastructure in other areas affected due to the floods in September. According to the NDRRMA, a budget of Rs 2.4 billion has been requested for 17 projects to upgrade and rebuild rural roads damaged by floods, including in Bhotekoshi and Trishuli.

Similarly, for urban development and building construction, a request of Rs 600 million has been made for eight programmes that need immediate planning and action. According to information provided by NDRRMA, under the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, six programmes have been listed for immediate implementation, for which a budget of 270 million rupees has been requested.

Additionally, for medium-term and long-term plans and programmes, a budget of 175 million rupees has been requested for one programme related to health infrastructure. Similarly, two projects have been selected for the plan and programme that need to be carried out immediately by the prison office. But no budget has been allocated. The Nepal Police has requested Rs 18 million 260 thousand for 10 projects for the reconstruction of areas affected by floods and landslides.

The Armed Police Force Nepal has requested Rs 462.7 million for 14 plans that need to be carried out immediately. For medium- and long-term plans and programmes, the APF Nepal has requested Rs 1.1784 billion for search and rescue equipment. NDRRMA stated that some plans have also come from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Department of Immigration. (RSS)