Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has taken a policy of promoting investment in the infrastructure sector by developing a National Infrastructure Master Plan.
Presenting the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2023/24 on Friday, President Ram Chandra Paudel said the government will make necessary amendments to Public Private Partnership and Investment Act to facilitate investment in the infrastructure sector.
The policies and programs state that the government will prepare an integrated national transport master plan that encompasses road transport, railway, waterways, and air transport. Additionally, the government plans to formulate a national transport policy and a federal transport bill to clarify the roles and responsibilities of federal, provincial, and local levels in public transport management.
Similarly, the policy document of the government states that necessary efforts will be made to accelerate infrastructure development by mobilizing workers in two shifts. The government has also said that it would upgrade strategic roads and give continuity to the expansion and upgrading of East West Highway. Moreover, the government aims to connect the district headquarters of Humla to the national road network in the next fiscal year, while also prioritizing the construction of road corridors such as Mahakali and Karnali.
Likewise, the government has expressed commitment to complete the construction of the Kathmandu-Tarai Madhesh Expressway project by 2026. Similarly, the government has said that it would pay special attention to the restoration and upgrading of highways affected by floods. Likewise, the government has expressed its commitment to complete the construction of national highways and strategic roads within five years.
The government plans to connect the administrative centers of all local units with their respective provincial headquarters or the nearest national highway with paved roads within three years.
Likewise, the government has initiated a program to build signature bridges on major rivers along the national highways, while ensuring simultaneous construction of roads and bridges. The policy emphasizes the continuation of expanding and modernizing the national highway network with the inclusion of tunnels, flyovers, and underpasses.
Regarding rail transport, the government has said that it would integrate all related structures like boards and companies to streamline railway adminsitration. Furthermore, the government has said that it would put in place legal provisions for ride-sharing services.
Similarly, the government plans to conduct studies on the construction and operation of metro rail, monorail, and trams in major cities in collaboration with the provincial and local governments. It also intends to prepare necessary plans for the development of waterways in major river systems like Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, and Bheri.
The government has announced that it will bring a policy to partially reimburse the cost of constructing access roads to industries or projects built by the private sector if they are made accessible to the public.
Moreover, the government has said that it would adopt a policy of purchasing electric vehicles for government offices, gradually introducing electric transport operations in major cities, and prioritizing technology for converting gas, diesel, and petrol vehicles into electric vehicles with appropriate incentives.
