February 14, 2002
Grassroots Grant Assistance to DWIDP
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The Government of Japan has decided to extend a grant assistance to the Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention (the DWIDP), Ministry of Water Resources of His Majesty's Government of Nepal for the Emergency Disaster Rehabilitation of Tribhuvan Highway, Kathmandu District in JFY 2001 under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) Scheme of the Government of Japan.
A grant contract to this effect was separately signed and exchanged between His Excellency Mr. Zenji Kaminaga, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Nepal, and Mr. Amodananda Mishra, Director General of the DWIDP, in Kathmandu today.
1,500 to 2,500m high mountains surround the Kathmandu Valley. The Tribhuvan Highway is a lifeline for the people of the Valley and serves as the only corridor linking the Terai and other areas of the nation. It has been playing a significant role in Nepal's road network for socio-economic development. However, Tribhuvan Highway, especially Thankot - Naubishe section, is a considerably important segment of this lifeline and has comparatively high disaster potential due to the weak geological condition.
After a slope collapsed 13km from Kathmandu and disrupted the road transportation , the concerned authorities removed the debris and restored one-way traffic for vehicular movement. However, the risk of enlargement of landslides still remains, and the situation is unstable. In addition, a secondary collapse may occur any time if emergency rehabilitation work is not carried out in time.
Besides this fact, under the technical cooperation of the Government of Japan, the Disaster Mitigation Support Program (DMSP) Project has been implementing disaster mitigation activities in Nepal with the close cooperation of the DWIDP. The Project has been carrying out different activities, such as development of appropriate technology related to the countermeasures for water induced disaster, awareness raising program for the common people, transfer of technology in the field of water induced disaster management, and also enhancing the capability of the officials of HMG/N and the communities in order to mitigate the impact of water induced disasters. Therefore, the DMSP Project has taken the above-mentioned section of Tribhuvan Highway as a model site for the Project activities.
In light of these facts, the Government of Japan will extend a grant up to seventy-five thousand one hundred and sixty-four US Dollars (US$75,164), about five million, seven hundred and ninety-one thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.5,791,000), for the execution of the Project for Emergency Disaster Rehabilitation of Tribhuvan Highway. The estimated total cost of the Project is about US$105,300, equivalent to 8,110,000 Nepalese Rupees. The short-fall amount will be borne by His Majesty's Government of Nepal.
Under this Project, debris and surplus soil will be removed, a retaining wall, gabion check-dam and some temporary structures will be constructed, and some sign boards will be placed in the Project site for emergency disaster rehabilitation.
Finally, speaking at the signing ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Kaminaga expressed his happiness at being a partner of this Project to ensure uninterrupted vehicular movement through the project site in the Tribhuvan Highway throughout the year. He also expressed his belief that sensitive and responsible users will understand the importance of this Project and provide their sincere support to make this Project successful and sustainable. Furthermore, he said, this Project would contribute to strengthen the existing friendly relationship between the people of Japan and the Kingdom of Nepal.
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