Infrastructure development is government’s priority: Minister Rai

KATHMANDU: Minister for Defence, Manbir Rai, has said the government has accelerated the implementation physical infrastructure endevours under the projects of national pride.

In the today’s meeting of the Committee for Monitoring and Evaluating the Implementation of the State’s Directive Principles, Policies and Obligations, he said this while responding concerns from lawmakers.

Similarly, he proposed the need of considering the size of projects of national pride, calling for selecting only feasible projects.

Lawmaker Mohammed Khalid demanded the review of criteria in regard with projects of national pride. The Minister apprised the meeting that a road project in Kimathanka of Sankhuwasabha is being blacktopped, sharing of the government’s plan to proceed with the construction of a road in Olangchunggola in the district.

According to the Minister, especially the Kathmandu-Terai Madhesh Fast Track and the construction of other various corridors are the responsibilities of the Ministry and the Nepal Army is the implementing body of them.
“However, it has been challenging to secure the expected progress,” he added.

As he said, the government’s priorities should be set on the basis of the status of poverty, adding that poor identity card is the durable instrument to address the poverty issues.