Government Allocates Over 5.6 Billion Rupees for Road Safety and Landslide Control

Kathmandu. To minimize the significant human and physical damage caused by road accidents and monsoon-induced landslides every year, the government has made provisions in the upcoming fiscal year (2083/084) budget. According to the 'Annual Development Program' published by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, more than 5.62 billion rupees have been allocated for these two important sectors alone. In previous years, these sectors, which were relegated to secondary priority, have now been given separate budget headings, with over 3.17 billion rupees allocated for landslide control and over 2.45 billion rupees for road and traffic safety. The government's move to modify the traditional practice of only pouring budget into road network expansion and instead focus on making roads safer has been positively received by stakeholders. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure's annual program has given landslide control work high priority for the first time, allocating a large budget under a separate heading. In previous years, this sector, which was a secondary priority under the road maintenance and restoration heading, has now been given a separate heading with over 3 billion rupees allocated. According to former Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Keshav Kumar Sharma, there was no practice of allocating such a large budget under a separate heading for landslide control in previous years. Although a small budget was allocated for 'bio-engineering' within the scope of landslide control, separate programs worth billions specifically for landslide control were not common. Previously, the practice was to spend budget on rescue and maintenance only after roads were obstructed due to monsoons or natural disasters. However, it is believed that the budget allocated under the 'Landslide Control' heading in this year's annual program will help in risk reduction and preparatory work for long-term control of landslides. 'Previously, there was money under another heading called road reconstruction and restoration, and work and payments related to road construction and restoration were managed from that,' said former Secretary Sharma. 'Previously, landslide control work seemed to be a low priority for the government, but now a separate heading has been created and over 3 billion rupees have been allocated.' Previously, the practice was to spend budget on rescue and maintenance only after roads were obstructed due to monsoons or natural disasters. However, it is believed that the budget allocated under the 'Landslide Control' heading in this year's annual program will help in risk reduction and preparatory work for long-term control of landslides. Former Secretary Sharma believes that this new budget heading will be effective for the sustainable management and control of landslides in strategic and national highways and risk-prone areas around the road network. What for which highway? The Ministry's published annual program, Schedule 36, includes the program 'Landslide Control of National Highways'. Under this heading, a total of 3.170 billion rupees have been allocated for landslide prevention, bio-engineering, and immediate road restoration on highways across the country. The largest portion of the allocated budget has been set aside for landslide control and traffic operation on the Sanfebagar-Martadi-Kolti road section in Achham. For this road section, which is severely affected by floods and landslides, 50.5 million rupees have been allocated. Similarly, 69.5 million rupees have been allocated for landslide control on the Hile-Kodari section of the Arniko Highway, a major trade route connecting with China, and 61.5 million rupees for the Dolalghat-Lamosangu section. To reduce accidents on highways, technical road safety (crash barriers, railings, reflectors, traffic signs) and effective traffic management are essential. The Ministry has allocated a total of 2.4561 billion rupees for the 'Road and Traffic Safety' program included in Schedule 16. Similarly, 91 million rupees have been allocated for landslide control on the Pokhara-Harichok-Hema-Naya Pul-Maldhunga section of the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, and 30 million rupees have been allocated for the Kevabesi-Sabhakhola-Khandbari road section of the Koshi Highway. Millions of rupees have also been allocated for various landslide-affected areas of the Surkhet-Dailekh-Mahabulek-Galje-Nagma-Gamgadhi road section of the Karnali Highway. In addition, the Ministry has kept 158.1 million rupees as 'unallocated funds' ready for immediate disaster management during the monsoon and for landslide control work on approved national highways. 2.45 Billion for Road and Traffic Safety To reduce accidents on highways, technical road safety (crash barriers, railings, reflectors, traffic signs) and effective traffic management are essential. The Ministry has allocated a total of 2.4561 billion rupees for the 'Road and Traffic Safety' program included in Schedule 16. This budget has been allocated to operate road division offices as well as 'Highway Safety and Traffic Management Offices' under the Nepal Police. Special emphasis has been placed on making traffic management technology-friendly and efficient in coordination with the Nepal Police. Targeting the increasing traffic congestion and safety in the Kathmandu Valley, 22.5 million rupees have been allocated for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Ramshahpath. Similarly, millions of rupees have been provided to the Highway Safety and Traffic Management Offices in Itahari (Sunsari), Pathlaiya (Bara), Ramnagar (Chitwan), Kaski, Butwal (Rupandehi), Surkhet, and Attariya (Kailali). The government believes this will make police patrols and post-accident rescue operations on highways more effective. In addition, a large amount of budget has been given to road divisions across the country for road infrastructure maintenance and adoption of safety measures. For example, 15 million rupees have been allocated to Road Division Kathmandu, 12 million rupees to Road Division Hetauda, 5 million rupees to Road Division Bharatpur, and 8 million rupees to Road Division Jumla.