June 23, 2009
 Japan Provides Grant for Sindhuli Road
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The Government of Japan has agreed to extend a grant up to four billion, three hundred and thirty-three million Japanese Yen (¥4,333,000,000), equivalent to three billion, four hundred and eighty-three million, seven hundred and thirty-two thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.3,483,732,000), or approximately forty-five million, and thirty-eight thousand US Dollars (US$45,038,000) to the Government of Nepal for the implementation of the Project for Construction of the Sindhuli Road (Section III: Khurkot - Nepalthok Section) in Japan's Fiscal Year 2009.
His Excellency Mr. Tatsuo MIZUNO, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Mr. Rameshore Prasad Khanal, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, signed and exchanged a set of Notes today on behalf of their respective governments. In the meantime, Mr. Noriaki NIWA, Resident Representative of JICA, and Mr. Kapil Dev Ghimire, Joint Secretary of the Foreign Aid Coordination Division of the Ministry of Finance, also signed and exchanged the Grant Agreement for the implementation of the Project for Construction of the Sindhuli Road, Section III.
The Grant extended to the Government of Nepal today is to be utilized to procure the products and services necessary for the execution of Section III (Khurkot - Nepalthok section) of the Sindhuli Road, which stretches for approximately 37km.
In consideration of the aspirations of the people of Nepal, the Government of Japan has been responding to Nepal's requests to achieve sustainable socio-economic development for poverty alleviation, which will ultimately facilitate peace building and human security in Nepal. In this regard, Japan has been extending grant assistance for the Construction of the Sindhuli Road since 1996. This Project is about 160km in length, stretching from Bardibas to Dhulikhel, and is divided into four sections.
In implementing the project for Construction of the Sindhuli Road, the Government of Japan had already extended a total of fifteen billion, eight hundred and sixty-nine million Japanese Yen (¥15,869,000,000) to the Government of Nepal for the construction of (i) Section I (Bardibas - Sindhuli Bazar) that stretches for 37km; (ii) Section II (the Sindhuli Bazar - Khurkot section) stretching for 35.8km; (iii) Section IV (the Dhulikhel - Nepalthok section) stretching for 50km; (iv) Emergency Rehabilitation of Section IV; and (v) the detailed design of Section III (the Khurkot - Nepalthok section). The Sindhuli Road is one of the most promising projects being implemented under Japan's ODA. It is one of the world's largest Grant Aid projects.
Recalling the hardships experienced by the Project, HE Mr. MIZUNO reiterated that one of the Japanese experts, Minoru MORISAWA, died on September 24, 2006 after falling from a steep slope in the course of construction work. HE Mr. MIZUNO expressed his sincere condolences for his demise.
Once Section III (Khurkot - Nepalthok) is completed, the Sindhuli Road will be ready to play the role of main corridor between the capital city Kathmandu and the Mahendra Highway (the East-West Highway) in the Terai via Kavrepalanchok, Ramechhap, Sindhuli and Maohttari Districts, reducing travelling distances significantly.
Furthermore, HE Mr. MIZUNO said that, "Nepal is on the path to peace and prosperity. In order to accomplish the national development targets, steady progress in the peace process without violence is vitally important. I would like to salute the spirit of tolerance and harmony that brings the Nepalese people together and united regardless of their political and ethnic differences. Japan is determined to continue to provide all possible assistance, as long as the Nepali peace process moves ahead in a democratic manner without threats and intimidation".
HE Mr. MIZUNO expressed his belief that the Sindhuli Road is a symbolic road that will lead to peace and prosperity for a new Nepal, and a road that will further connect the hearts of the people of Japan and Nepal.
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