In Nepal, the driving roads/streets are small & innumemerable bendings- either peoples to walk & to drive us the same roads/streets.

Taxis, bikes,bycycles, & buses driving and peoples walking is on the same road.

Peoples must take good care when they are walking in the roads/streets.

The pics?

pics please

Nepal to introduce telecom projects to increase service
KATHMANDU, March 23 (PNA/Bernama) -- The Nepali government is preparing to introduce three telecom pilot projects to infrastructure sharing as an effort to increase telecommunication service coverage in rural areas.

Citing Tuesday's The Kathmandu Post daily, Xinhua news agency said that the plan comes at a time when telecom service operators have asked the government to introduce guidelines, for infrastructure sharing at the earliest, to speed up development in the telecommunication sector in a cost effective way.

This project which is aimed at building infrastructure enhancement and boosting telecom services through sharing will be carried out through grant assistance provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under Information and Communication Technology Development Project to be completed by June 2014.

The government will spend US$ 7 million provided by the ADB, according to Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), the regulator of telecom sector.

"Our study on telecom infrastructure sharing will propose three districts, one each from mountain, hill and Terai to initiate the pilot projects," said Bhesh Raj Kanel, chairman of NTA.

"We will evaluate the districts on the basis of required base tower stations and needs. We will select one district from each region to carry out pilot projects."

The regulatory body has already started the process of selecting a consultant to carry out the study and recommend modalities on telecom infrastructure sharing to increase rural telecom density and to develop guidelines for infrastructure sharing to the government. (PNA/Bernama)http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=4&sid=&nid=4&rid=265942

Nepal scraps passport deal
KATHMANDU: After facing immense criticism and controversies from various political parties for giving the contract to print machine readable passports to an Indian company, the Nepal government has scrapped the deal.

The decision to scrap the deal with Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited and start a fresh tender was taken by the Cabinet late on Sunday evening.

Though the government had invited global bidding in December 2009, it cancelled it in January. The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament had asked the government to resume the bid in February but the government awarded the contract to the Indian company in March.

Last week, the Supreme Court issued an interim order not to execute the deal until April 12 based on two petitions.

Meanwhile, various political parties including the ruling CPN-(UML) condemned the government decision. The opposition Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) had called a nationwide general strike on Monday but withdrew it after the Cabinet scrapped the deal. The party said the deal was against Nepal's national interest.http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/13/stories/2010041357421700.htm

Downtown Apartments, 15fl x 2, Kathmandu

http://i44.************/qyd8om.jpg


http://i42.************/2weiefp.jpg

Site Pic from Google Earth:

http://i39.************/de6vsl.png

Link (http://www.gharghaderi.com/downtown-apartments/description.htm)

City View, Kathmandu

http://i41.************/2wna3dg.gif

Location:
http://i41.************/nwkcra.gif

Link (http://www.gharghaderi.com/city-view/description.htm)

Europe-bound passengers forced to stay in Kathmandu due to volcanic ash cloud
KATHMANDU, April 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- A number of Europe-bound passengers were compelled to stay in the Nepali capital Kathmandu since flights into European airspace have been suspended due to a volcanic ash cloud.

TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport) in Nepal Manager Dinesh Prasad Shrestha told The Himalayan Times daily on Saturday that a number of passengers of international airlines returned from the airport after airspace over several European countries remained closed.

The restrictions have been put in place since volcanic ash drifted across Europe from Iceland on Thursday. Officials of the international carriers, including Gulf Air, Qatar Airways and Jet Airways said Europe-bound passengers were told to stay in Kathmandu until the European airspace opened for flights. (PNA/Xinhua)http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=6&sid=&nid=6&rid=270317

Nepal and Australia mark 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties
The diplomatic relations between Nepal and Australia reached the 50th year on Monday (April 26).

Australian Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, in Nepal to attend the functions marking the 50 anniversary of the bilateral ties.

"Over the last five decades, the relationship between Australia and Nepal has grown considerably, to the benefit of both countries," a press statement issued by Australian embassy in Kathmandu quoted McMullan as saying.

In 1984 Australia established a diplomatic mission in Nepal, then in 2007 Nepal cemented bilateral ties with the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Australia.

During a series of discussions with political leaders, Constituent Assembly members, and United Nations officials, McMullan underlined Australia's support to Nepal's peace process and for its progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, the embassy said.

"As part of his visit, McMullan was advised of progress on the drafting of the constitution and integration and rehabilitation of the PLA. Political consensus is needed for these important issues to be resolved quickly and without further danger of brinkmanship."

"As a country with more than 100 years' experience as a federal parliamentary democracy, Australia stands ready to support Nepal through this transition," said McMullan.

He also urged the Government of Nepal and political parties to take steps to end the culture of impunity in Nepal, and ensure justice for victims of the conflict.

To mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Australia will provide A$800,000 to establish an Electoral Resource Centre at the Election Commission in Kathmandu. The Centre will increase community understanding of the electoral process and help entrench democracy in Nepal.

McMullan today also announced additional Australia Awards scholarships for high achieving Nepali students to study in Australia, and support to establish an Alumni network to strengthen ongoing links between Nepali and Australian students and graduates. Since 1995, Australia has provided more than 200 scholarships to Nepali students.

Australia has almost doubled its assistance to Nepal over the last two years to A$17 million in 2009-10. http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/2-political/5649-nepal-and-australia-mark-50th-anniversary-of-diplomatic-ties.html

US Navy commander visiting Nepal from Tuesday
Commander of the Pacific Command of the US Navy, Admiral Robert F Willard, is arriving in Kathmandu on Tuesday at the invitation of Chief of Army Staff Chhatraman Singh Gurung.

During his visit, Admial Willard will meet Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari, Home Minister Bhim Rawal, and CoAS Gurung, a press statement issued by NA's Diractorate of the Public Relations (DPR) said.

The US admiral will visit Afghanistan from April 29 and will be back to Kathmandu May 2. He will wrap up the trip on May 3.http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/2-political/5651-us-navy-commander-visiting-nepal-from-tuesday.html

Outflow of Nepali migrant labourers posts sound growth
During the first nine months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2066/67 B.S, there has been a remarkable growth in the number of Nepali workers leaving for abroad employment.

During the period, some 202,794 migrant workers left the country for foreign jobs while the figure stood at 157,859 in the corresponding period of the last FY, according to Department of Foreign Employment.

Amongst those flying for abroad works in this year, the number of female is 9,328.

Malaysia tops the list in terms of absorbing the number of Nepali labour.

During the said period of the current FY, 78,876 left for Malaysia, 44,281 for Saudi Arab, 42,535 for Qatar and the remaining for other popular labour destinations.

Some 25,728 left for UAE entirely on a personal initiative rather than institutional.

In the last month of Chaitra alone, a whopping 29,555 flied to work in foreign lands.

Of course, the inflow of remittances is largely helping the country's shaky economy afloat.

However, some economic experts caution that the increasing exodus of the country's productive segment will not bode well to the country's wellbeing in the long run.

"There is a great need for the government to come up with a separate mechanism to funnel the remittances into productive sectors. This step should also be gravitated towards creating more job opportunities at home," said Ragav Dwoj Pant, a noted economist adding," The generation of employment avenues in the country is important to mitigate the growing dependence on remittances." http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/business-a-economy/5650-outflow-of-nepali-migrant-labourers-posts-sound-growth.html

Strike hits Nepal's tourism industry
KATHMANDU, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali tourism industry has been affected badly, by the indefinite nationwide strike of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist which lasted for the past six days.

According to Saturday's The Rising Nepal daily, although the UCPN-M has allowed tourist vehicles to operate in and outside the Kathmandu Valley, visiting tourists are reported to have been stranded in some parts of the country.

Khada Nanda Dhakal, Chief of the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport, informed that tourist arrivals have decreased by three folds as compared to the departure figures due to the strike.

According to Dhakal, around 400 tourists have been coming to Nepal by air daily, while the number of tourists leaving the country is about 1,500 every day.

Despite such a situation, no international airlines have canceled their services, so far. "If the state of uncertainty does not end immediately, tourist arrivals are likely to decline considerably soon," he said.

Tour operators say that only the tourists, who had booked earlier, have been visiting Nepal. According to them, they have stopped receiving any booking with the start of Maoist's strike.

Many tourists have begun shortening their stay in the country. "As they are facing problems of transportation, they are forced to shorten their stay," Ashok Pokharel, President of Nepal Association of Tour Operators, said.

He said that tourists have been deprived of food at restaurants and hotels at Thamel, a major tourist hub in the capital.

He said that present economic crisis would affect not only the hotel industry but also all other sectors.

"As multinational tourism industry is very fragile, the strike is sure to have long- term effects on this sector," he said.

Similarly, the strike has affected both domestic and international flights.

Domestic airlines have been forced to decrease the number of their scheduled flights due to the strike. (PNA/Xinhua) http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=4&sid=&nid=4&rid=274282

INDIA PLEDGES RS 81.9 MILLION FOR 2 PROJECTS IN NEPAL
KATHMANDU, May 13 (NNN-PTI) -- India today pledged financial assistance of Rs 81.9 million for construction of a college building and a cold storage in Nepal.

Two separate MoUs were signed in this regard between the Indian embassy and Nepalese authorities here, said a statement from the mission.

Under the Indian assistance, Nepali Rs 3.74 crore will be spent on the construction of 'Himalaya Campus' for a college at Khandwari in Sankhuwasabha district in eastern Nepal, which would include a triple-storey building, boundary wall and provision for furniture.

The college is currently providing bachelor level education to over 1,200 students, about half of whom are girls.

Separately, Nepali Rs 4.45 crore will be spent on the construction of a cold storage building with a boundary wall and provision of machinery and equipment in Bhadrapur Municipality in Jhapa district, also in eastern Nepal. http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=120209

Dhaka to let Bhutan, Nepal use its ports (http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/05/21/news0457.htm)

State Minister for Environment Dr Hasan Mahmud Thursday said the government wants to give Chittagong and Mongla seaports for use by all its neighbouring countries, not just by India, Bhutan and Myanmar.

He, however, said some policy-guidelines are needed in this regard.

Jindal Power plans to set up hydro-power project in Nepal (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/indal-Power-plans-to-set-up-hydro-power-project-in-Nepal-report/4845747599)

The report stated that the company has received a license and we are doing the due diligence and are looking to install a 220-MW hydro-power project in Chainpur Seti, Nepal.




Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Power is planning to set up a hydro-power project in Nepal at an estimated cost of Rs 15bn as part of its multi-billion dollar programme in the energy space, according to a report.

The report stated that the company has received a license and we are doing the due diligence and are looking to install a 220-MW hydro-power project in Chainpur Seti, Nepal.

NEPALI PM MADHAV KUMAR TO RESIGN, PAVING WAY FOR NEW UNITY GOVERNMENT
KATMANDU, May 29 (NNN-Bernama) -- Bowing to pressure from the Maoist party, Nepal's Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has agreed to step down within days, paving the way for a new unity government to take power, reported China's Xinhua news agency.

Madhav Kumar agreed to resign after the former communist rebels supported his proposal to extend the term of parliament so it can draft a new constitution to end years of civil war and strife.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar told reporters early Saturday he would resign soon, but did not elaborate.

Three main political parties had agreed that the prime minister would resign within days, and a new national government would take power.

Maoists, the ex-rebels, have been protesting both in parliament and on the street for months demanding the prime minister's resignation.

The Maoists control most seats in the assembly, and their support was required to get the two-third majority to pass the government proposal.

The lawmakers approved the proposal just after midnight Friday.

It was not yet decided who would succeed the prime minister, but the main political parties have also agreed to hold talks to form a national government that would include most political parties in the assembly.

The two-year term of the Constituent Assembly was set to end Saturday. The assembly intends to draft a new constitution to help guide Nepal out of years of civil war and upheaval, but has achieved little due to political bickering.

The Maoists ended their decade-old rebellion in 2006 and joined a peace process. Since then they have confined their fighters to U.N.-monitored camps and joined mainstream politics.

They won 2008 elections and formed a government, but it later fell in a dispute with the nation's president over the Maoists' attempt to replace the army chief.

The United Nations, which played a key role in the peace process, has expressed concern over the political situation in Nepal.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=121901

NEPSE gains 1.14 pts
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) benchmark index on Thursday-the last trading day of the week- saw a gain of 1.14 points to end at 481.62 points.

Amongst the six groups whose shares were traded in today's session, three moved up while the remaining three lost.

The hydropower lost the most as it shed 32.83 points to end at 714.77 points. Similarly, the others and finance fell by 15.27 points and 5.69 points to close at 542.83 points and 432.03 points respectively.

On the other hand, the commercial banks, heavyweight in NEPSE, inclined by 8.25 points to close at 462.8 points. The insurance and development banks rose by 6.3 points and 3.79 points to end at 501.6 points and 571.26 points respectively.

The sensitive index, that measures the performance of Group A companies, also gained a meagre 0.17 points to end at 117.67 points.

The NEPSE today traded 77,680 units of shares worth Rs 35,935,698 in 630 transactions. http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/business-a-economy/6525-nepse-gains-114-pts.html

Oman Air to fly in Nepali skies
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has granted permission to Oman Air to operate direct flights between Oman and Nepal, reports RSS.

An agreement to this effect was signed between the governments of the two countries in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Oman Air is planning to operate Oman-Kathmandu flights from the third week of June. It plans to operate seven flights a week.

The ministry said direct Oman-Kathmandu flights will help Nepal Tourism Year 2011, besides facilitating Nepali workers going to Oman for jobs. Nepal government is planning to attract more international airlines for the success of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/business-a-economy/6521-oman-air-to-fly-in-nepali-skies.html

NEPAL BECOMES MAJOR TOURISM DESTINATION FOR ASIAN TRAVELLERS
KATHMANDU, June 15 (NNN-Bernama) -- Nepal is becoming a major tourism destination for Asian travellers, a local media reported Tuesday, citing a report.

The World Bank South Asia Economic Update 2010 reveals that travellers from East Asia made up 26.5 percent of the total tourist arrivals in Nepal, China's Xinhua news agency quoted The Kathmandu Post daily as saying.

The statistics of the Nepal Tourism Board, reflecting a similar trend, said the tourists arrivals from China, South Korea and Thailand have been increasing in the past few years.

The number of Chinese arrivals in Nepal has increased by 185.97 percent in from 2006 to 2009. Around 19,000 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in 2009.

In the same period, tourist arrivals from South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have soared by 68.40 percent, 164.26 percent, 83.48 percent and 46.32 percent, respectively.

Travel trade analysts attribute the increment in East Asian arrivals to their rising income levels, desire to visit the birthplace of the Buddha and better air connectivity.

Currently, four Chinese airlines operate flights to Nepal with China Eastern Airlines being the latest entrant last year.

The growth in inbound from East Asia has prompted the concerned stakeholders to pay special attention to the region.

Nepal is expecting 100,000 tourists from China during Nepal Tourism Year 2011 while it has targeted a 20 percent increment in tourist arrivals from other Asian countries.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=123821

Tourist arrivals in Nepal up 30 pct in first quarter
KATHMANDU, June 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- International visitor arrivals in Nepal witnessed a substantial growth of 30 percent in the first quarter of 2010, local media reported on Thursday.

According to eKantipur.com report, of the total growth registered, visitors from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) increased by 20.98 percent to 25,160 while its share in overall tourist arrivals stood at 24.19 percent. In the same period last year, there were 20,796 tourists from SAARC countries, according to the arrival statistics compiled by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

Similarly, visitors from East Asia increased by 38.61 percent to 24,855 and the share contribution of these countries in total arrivals was recorded at 23.90 percent. In the first three months last year, 17,931 tourists from East Asia visited Nepal.

Nepal is becoming a major tourism destination for Asian travelers. The World Bank South Asia Economic Update 2010 reveals that travelers from East Asia made up 26.5 percent of the total tourist arrivals in Nepal.

The statistics of the NTB also reflect a similar trend. Tourist arrivals from China, South Korea and Thailand have been increasing in the past few years. http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=6&sid=&nid=6&rid=282113

Is this thread the only presence Nepal has on SSC?

^^ You can check this one too - NEPAL | Kathmandu (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1111255&highlight=nepal+kathmandu)

SC stays Energy Minister's decision to scrap key appointment at Upper Tamakoshi
The Supreme Court on Friday issued an interim order against the decision of Energy Minister Prakash Saran Mahat to revoke the appointment of Arjun Karki as the chairman of Upper Tamakoshi hydropower project.

A single bench of justice Rana Bahadur Bam issued the stay order in a writ petition filed by Karki, who is a former managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), challenging the minister's decision to scrap his appointment.

The SC ordered the defendants not to implement the decision until the next ruling. The court will hear the case on 26 August.

Mahat's personal secretariat had handed a letter to Karki, informing about the scrapping of his appointment to the post of the chairman of the hydropower project. http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/business-a-economy/8528-sc-stays-energy-ministers-decision-to-scrap-key-appointment-at-upper-tamakoshi.html

Maintenance of Kulekhani hydropower plants complete; no change in load shedding hours
Maintenance works in Kulekhani Hydropower plants that begun a few months ago has completed this week enabling the 92 MW project to produce power in full capacity.

Chief of Kulekhani hydropower project Sachinanda Mishra said, both the units will run in full capacity from Monday, following the maintenance.

The project was producing only half its capacity due to some complications in the plants. The project has two units with installed capacity of 60 MW and 32 MW.

Technicians from Japan completed the maintenance of the power plants this week.

However, the increase in power production will not affect the present load shedding hours.

According to Sher Singh Bhat, chief of load dispatch centre at Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), load shedding hours will not be changed as the production in Kulekhani fluctuates with the water level in the reservoir.

Kulekhani is the only reservoir-based hydropower project in Nepal.

NEA is imposing a load shedding of two hours a day at present.http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/business-a-economy/8268-maintenance-of-kulekhani-hydropower-plants-complete-no-change-in-load-shedding-hours.html

Hey Hakz2007 is back :)

^^I am fasting that's why I'm inactive until the end of Ramadan.

Nepal's central bank calls time on ex-king's face
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/afp/20100819/capt.photo_1282229423099-1-0.jpg?x=213&y=118&xc=1&yc=1&wc=409&hc=227&q=85&sig=mfu1yoXtaPl98lUwEbeuzw--

KATHMANDU (AFP) – More than two years after Nepal's last king stepped down from the throne, his face is finally to disappear from the country's banknotes, the central bank said Thursday.

Nepal replaced former king Gyanendra's face with a picture of Mount Everest on all new currency in 2007 after parliament voted to abolish the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy.

But old notes bearing the portrait of the unpopular former monarch have remained in circulation.

Central bank spokesman Gopal Kaphle said the old notes would be phased out by the end of the current Nepalese year, which falls in mid-April 2011.

"We are trying to circulate clean notes. The old notes will be replaced by new notes, and we are getting rid of notes with a picture of the former monarch," Kaphle told AFP.

Former king Gyanendra left the throne in June 2008 when the then Maoist-led government declared the country a secular republic.

Revered by supporters as a living incarnation of a Hindu god, he lost the support of many Nepalese when he seized direct rule in 2006 following Maoist protests.

The Maoists waged a 10-year insurgency against the monarchy before winning elections in 2008 and forming a government.http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100819/wl_sthasia_afp/nepalroyalsmoney_20100819161801

Communities helping Nepal meet millennium goals
KATHMANDU (AFP) – Despite years of civil war and political instability, Nepal is on track to meet several of its Millennium Development Goals, with major strides forward on maternal and child mortality.

Landlocked Nepal remains one of the world's poorest countries, with high rates of unemployment and an average annual income of just 472 dollars.

But more than nine out of 10 primary school age children are now in education and 86 percent of people aged between 15 and 24 can read and write, according to a 2010 progress report by the government and the United Nations.

With another five years to go, the government and the United Nations say Nepal is likely to achieve, or partially achieve, five of the seven goals laid out in 2000.

Among the achievements highlighted in the report are a fall in maternal mortality rates from 850 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to an estimated 229 this year, a reduction of 73 percent.

Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, vice-chairman of the Nepal Planning Commission, said community organisations were the key to its success in reducing the number of deaths in childbirth and getting more girls into school.

"The government has provided simple things like basic birthing kits, but the role of community groups in educating people and raising awareness has made all the difference," he said.

Most women in Nepal still give birth at home, but since January 2009 they have received cash incentives to go to a hospital or local clinic, with the amount rising according to the distance they have to travel.

"The government has made maternal mortality a priority and there have been a number of innovative schemes, along with a gradual reduction in poverty levels in Nepal," said Sarah Sanyahumbi, head of Britain's Department for International Development in Nepal.

"But there is a long way to go. One woman still dies every four hours due to childbirth."

Development in Nepal was severely hit by the 10-year civil war between Maoist rebels and state security forces that ended in 2006.

The initial optimism that greeted the end of the war four years ago has faded as a series of governments has failed to provide access to basic services such as electricity and clean water, and deep inequalities persist.

"Two thirds of the way towards the 2015 MDG finishing line, the country should focus on eradicating inequality and social exclusion to achieve the MDGs and to sustain peace," said the UN in its progress report.http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100919/wl_sthasia_afp/unpovertyhealthsummitnepal_20100919071405

Nepal, Tibet sign MoU to promote tourism
Kathmandu, Sep 18 (PTI) In order to boost tourism ahead of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, the Nepalese Government and Tibet Autonomous Region of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to attract one million including 100,000 Chinese tourists to the country.

The MoU was signed in Tibet's capital Lhasa at the end of a two-day, fourth meeting of Nepal-Tibet (China) Joint Tourism Coordination Committee meeting, according to Nepal Tourism Board.

The MoU provides for the operation of buses between Nepal and Tibet, allowing regular Nepali helicopter and charter services in the sacred Mansarovar area, promoting Nepal Tourism Year 2011 in Tibet through media and hoarding boards at major crossroads, and providing Tibet visa to international tourists from Nepal and operating more Chinese airlines in between Lhasa-Kathmandu, among others.http://www.ptinews.com/news/962765_Nepal--Tibet-sign-MoU-to-promote-tourism-

sorry, off topic.....is there a Nepla Forum?

^^none

Gold to be sold in Nepal every Tuesday
KATHMANDU, Sept. 27 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The domestic bullion market that has remained dry on the back of the black marketing is likely to get relief after Tuesday. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has decided to sell gold every Tuesday.

As per the new provision introduced by the central bank, it was supposed to sell gold since last Tuesday through auction. However, traders reaching NRB had to return empty-handed as they were not able to buy gold due to the central bank's preparatory works.

Spokesperson Gopal Kafle for the NRB was quoted by Monday's eKantipur.com as saying "we will be selling minimum 1 kg of gold to each trader on Tuesdays from the NRB branch at Baluwatar."

The central bank on Sept. 17, had issued a directive to sell 1, 000 kg of the yellow metal to traders from its reserves to ease the shortage and control black marketing. As per the directive, it will sell 100 kg of gold and silver as demanded on Tuesday afternoon.

The traders wanting to buy the gold and silver from the auction will have to deposit money along with the paperwork in the Gold and Silver Account of NRB at Machhapuchchhre Bank.

The central bank has also made a provision of 25 kg gold for those traders who do not intend to buy gold through the bidding process. According to the NRB, such traders can buy gold every week paying the highest price set in the auction.http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=3&sid=&nid=3&rid=303081

NASA launches Himalayan monitoring system in Nepal
KATHMANDU — A new system that will allow scientists to monitor the impact of climate change in the Himalayas using images from NASA satellites was launched in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Around 1.3 billion people depend on the water that flows down from the Himalayan glaciers, which experts say are melting at an alarming rate, threatening to bring floods and later drought to the region.

But relatively little is known about the impact of climate change on the vast region, which environmental campaigners describe as a "third pole" because of its huge water reserves in the form of ice and snow.

The web-based system, called SERVIR, will allow scientists, governments and aid agencies to access satellite images of the Himalayas, giving them early warning of floods and other disasters and aiding research on climate change.

A NASA statement said SERVIR, launched in partnership with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu, could be used to address threats to biodiversity as well as risks from flooding, forest fires and storms.

"The whole of the Himalayan region is something of a black hole for scientists and we hope to use this system to bridge the data gap," said Basanta Shrestha, a senior ICIMOD executive.

"We can use this to monitor the dynamics of the cryosphere (ice systems) in the light of climate change, which is very important in terms of both disaster management and future water availability."http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQ88FF_NgPBARj8Ak5lq3dlvkumw?docId=CNG.5cb7ef236c63dc32da7a98f3cefc25f2.591

Nepal to receive USD 32.6 m TB aid
KATHMANDU: The government and the Global Fund (GF), an international health financing institution, have signed a grant agreement of USD 32.6 million to support TB programmes in Nepal. The signing of the agreement was arranged by Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).

Issuing a press statement, the CCM also said the signing of another grant agreement is in process to support malaria programmes in the country. The GF is disbursing the financial assistance in response to Nepal’s appeal made last year in that regard.

The supported program in TB aims to increase the TB case detection rate to 82 per cent nationally and at least 70 per cent in all districts by 2015 with a target to achieve and maintain the treatment success rates of 90 per cent by 2015 nationally and 85 per cent minimally in all districts, said the release.

Under the GF support, Nepal has been implementing the preventive and treatment services in TB, HIV and Malaria sectors.

The GF is one of the major funds for the Health intervention in Nepal.http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Nepal+to+receive+USD+32.6+m+TB+aid&NewsID=260669&a=3

5 districts get new lease of life with sajiwan farming
With the financial assistance from the Finnish Embassy, the farming was started under the three-year sajiwan farming extension programme.

DAMAULI: With a view to motivating farmers for Sajiwan (Jatropha) farming, commercial sajiwan farming has been started in five districts in the country.

The Sajiwan Research and Training Center, Chitwan has transplanted around 400,000 saplings of sajiwan in Gorkha, Tanahun, Kaski, Chitwan and Makwanpur to promote the farming, according to botanist Dr. Khem Raj Bhattarai of the center.

The oil from Sajiwan seeds can be used in various machines and that energy consumption can be reduced from it.

The center is also expected to produce biodiesel using the farming.

The Everest Biodiesel Company and Development Center Nepal will help to collect seeds of sajiwan and sell them, said centre’s programme officer Dilli Prasad Rijal.

With the financial assistance from the Finnish Embassy, the farming was started under the three-year sajiwan farming extension programme, said Rijal.

Presently, around 1,500 farmers are involved in this farming.http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=5+districts+get+new+lease+of+life+with+sajiwan+farming&NewsID=261982

Jamara helps make more money
http://thehimalayantimes.com/includes/vignette.php?img=../newsImages/nepaliNews/THT26E26CEC_bigunj-sweets.jpg&h=196&w=296&c=1
Sweets kept outside the a shop in Maisthan of Birgunj on Sunday.

BIRGUNJ: The priests and the members of the general public here are earning money by selling Jamara during the Dashain festival.

Jamara is the tender shoots of barley and maize that is worn behind the ears as an auspicious item on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, the greatest festival of the Nepali Hindus.

Shakuntala Devi, a local woman, said she sold Jamara shoots worth Rs. 10,000 at the Gahawamai Temple here since early morning today.

Devotees coming to offer worship at the temple of goddess Gahawamai also offer Jamara to the goddess.

She said she sold Jamara by making them into bundles of different sizes ranging from Rs. 10 to Rs. 100.

Similarly, priests and other people also sold Jamara and earned money, it is learnt.http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Jamara+helps+make+more+money&NewsID=261994

Nepal ’s Youth Tiger Ambassadors in Russia to attend Tiger Forum
Prior to the International Tiger Conservation Forum which is being hosted by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin from 21-24 Nov in St. Petersburg, Russia, WWF Nepal has sent its Youth Tiger Ambassadors who will represent Nepal at the International Youth Tiger Conservation Forum, being held in parallel to this high level government meeting on tiger conservation.

The International Tiger Conservation Forum is expected to be a most significant meeting for tiger conservation with participation by Heads of States of tiger range countries. The Forum will prepare the Global Tiger Recovery Program to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022 (the next Year of the Tiger).

WWF Nepal has selected two students, Kabita Kunwar and Pradeep Rijal who will represent Nepal at this Youth Forum. The Youth Ambassadors will visit Siberian tiger trails and get a first hand account of the state of wild tiger populations in Russia and measures being taken for their conservation. They will also develop a Youth Declaration on tiger conservation, which will be presented to the Tiger Forum, via video- conference between Vladivostok and St. Petersburg .

According to a statement issued by WWF Nepal, Kabita Kunwar hails from Jagatpur, situated in the Buffer Zone of Chitwan National Park, home to the highest tiger population in Nepal . She is a Grade 11 student of Orchid Science College , Chitwan and an active member of the WWF Eco Club. Her Eco Club led a massively successful Signature Campaign to raise awareness on Rhino and Tiger Conservation in 2006. “The Earth is home to every living being. Human beings should take responsibility for the conservation of wildlife as they are the ones who are now destroying the habitats of wildlife like tigers. I see the Youth Tiger Forum as a great opportunity to raise my voice in the world for the preservation of tigers and other biodiversity,” said Kabita, before leaving for Russia.

Pradeep Rijal, from Thakurdwara, situated in the Buffer Zone of the Bardia National Park , is a Bachelors level student of Madya Paschim Multiple Campus, Nepalgunj. The Eco Club he was leading received the prestigious Abraham Conservation Award in 1999. “I have been devoting my time to preserve tigers since my childhood. I have great interest in this area. I want to conduct research in this field as well. So, I am looking forward to participating in the Youth Forum so that I can collect invaluable
experiences and knowledge,” said Pradeep.

At the Youth Forum, the two Nepali Youth Tiger Ambassadors will make a presentation on present tiger conservation status in Nepal and also perform a special play titled “Greed of Wealth” based on tiger onservation efforts in Nepal, according to the WWF statement.

The International Youth Forum organized by WWF will take place from 18-24 November 2010 in Vladivostok , home to the Amur tiger, at the same time as the high level meeting. Youth from various tiger range countries will participate in this Youth Forum and help draw further attention to the importance of tiger conservation and convey the concern of the future generation on the plight of this species.http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/19-general/10861-nepal-s-youth-tiger-ambassadors-in-russia-to-attend-tiger-forum.html

Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service likely to resume
With Nepal Tourism Year 2011 just around the corner, the Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service, which was suspended more than three years, is very likely to resume within a month.

According to Wednesday's Republica Daily, once this service comes into operation, Chinese tourists are expected to get to Kathmandu more easily from Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China by surface transport.

"We are very hopeful of restarting the Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service by the very first month of 2011, keeping the tourist year in mind," Anil Gurung, acting director general of the Department of Transport Management (DoTM), told Republica.

According to Gurung, work is going on smoothly in maintaining the partly-damaged road linking Kathmandu to Zhangmu or Lhasa as it is well- known in Nepal.

However, Hong Mei, a Chinese national who won the contract to operate the bus service from Kathmandu to Lhasa said: "We are trying to operate our service within this very month." Initially, two buses from Kathmandu and two from Lhasa will be ferrying Chinese tourists. But the number of Nepali tourists to visit Lhasa by bus will be less than the Chinese tourists to visit Kathmandu.

According to Hong Mei, tourists will be charged 70 U.S. dollars per person for traveling to Lhasa by bus.http://chinatibet.people.com.cn/7225687.html

Nepal launches telemedicine service
KATHMANDU: Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has launched a landmark telemedicine service in the country in an effort to boost health care in the rural areas with the financial and technical assistance from India.

The SAARC telemedicine centre has been established with an assistance of Rs 3.05 Crores from the Government of India under the SAARC telemedicine network project, according to Indian Embassy here.



Telecommunications Consultants India Limited ( TCIL), a prime engineering and consultancy company under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is the implementing agency for this prestigious project.

The assurance for the telemedicine service to Nepal was conveyed by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the 13th SAARC Summit held in Dhaka in 2005.

The MoU for the implementation of the project between India and Nepal was signed in June 2009.

Prime Minister Nepal said yesterday the service will prove beneficial for the rural population as it would provide comfortable and easy excess to health services to the people living in remote districts.

It has been difficult to take quality and affordable health services by establishing infrastructure due to geographical and technical problem, he said inaugurating the telemedicine service and SAARC telemedicine programme in the capital.

He said the government has been committed to provide primary health services to the rural population.

Indian Ambassador in Nepal Rakesh Sood, who was also present on the occasion, said the telemedicine service will help in providing quality service among the rural people.

"The Government of India is happy to establish the SAARC telemedicine centre that extends the geographic reach of medical care and provide people in remote and rural areas access to medical specialists," said the Indian Ambassador.

The telemedicine service will have the Central Coordination Desk at Patan Hospital in the capital. The service has now commenced in district hospitals in 25 mountainous districts across the country.

The programme initiated by the Ministry of Health and Population is expected to benefit rural people who have been deprived of quality health services due to geographical and technical difficulties.

Minister for Health and Population Umakanta Chaudhary said the programme will be effective to take specialist service to the rural areas.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/enterprise-it/services-apps/Nepal-launches-telemedicine-service/articleshow/7340625.cms

French cheese maker finds a niche in Nepal
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2011-01/58948552.jpg


Reporting from Chandeshwori, Nepal — Francois Driard enters a cave dug into the steep Himalayan hillside, scares off a mouse and, in a twice-weekly ritual, wipes mold from several plate-sized wheels of cheese sitting on crude shelves against the wall.

Voila! High-end French cheese has reached a new level, literally, with Driard's farm an hour from Katmandu, where the 32-year-old has become what he believes is the only French cheese maker in the Himalayas.

He acknowledges that it's not the by-the-book operation you'd find under Europe's rigorous hygiene and certification requirements.


"If it's too clean, there's no life," he said. "Well, no real danger of that here."

Raised in a Parisian suburb of sidewalks and shopping malls, Driard knew nothing about cheese making until a few years ago. Now he's getting rave reviews from mostly foreign customers in one of the world's poorest nations. Trekking companies even carry his cheese up Mt. Everest to serve on expeditions.

"He's quite famous, the French cheese king of Katmandu, and his cheese makes life more comfortable," said Henrik Hansen, a Dane working for the United Nations in Nepal. "I was in Yemen before, where it's difficult to get anything but Kalashnikovs."

Driard's first interest was living in Nepal, with cheese production a pungent afterthought. A few years out of French business school, after taking time off to read and working three years writing business articles, he decided to act on his loathing for offices.

The entrepreneur, with deep-set eyes, brown hair and a roundish face, had been coming to Nepal on vacation almost every year since he was 18, and had picked up Nepali living with a local family. So he tried to figure out a way to move back for good.

Over the years, he'd noticed more and more once-unavailable Western products appearing on shelves in Katmandu — personal-hygiene items, wine, pistachios. One niche remained unfilled: the raw, smelly cheese he gorged on back home.

The traditional 19th — even 18th — century technology used in making cheese would work well in an area with bad infrastructure and frequent power outages, he reasoned.

Unabashed by his artisanal ignorance, Driard hitchhiked around France, especially the Chaine des Puys region, knocking on doors and asking cheese makers to divulge their family secrets.

You'd think they would have told him where he could stick their cheese. But because he was setting up in far-off Nepal, and presented no immediate threat to their business, people were generous. Many loved the idea of their traditional methods being used to push back at the plastique-tasting supermarket cheese in other countries.



Driard admits to a certain impatience, which created another problem. "Here's something they've spent generations doing just perfectly," he said, "and I'm trying to get them to tell me everything in 20 minutes."

Within a few weeks, however, he had the basic idea. Although it's an exacting process, he said, it's hardly rocket science.

He spent three months searching for a suitable farm, which he bought with Nepalese partners. (Foreigners can't buy land in Nepal, although a company can.) Then he spent more time trying to get a business visa the official way before giving up and paying a "fixer," who had it in a week.

"In Nepal, you can make your reality," he said. "In France, you need six weeks' obligatory training, licenses, bureau approval for everything. It's endless."

The one-acre farm has a three-bedroom stone farmhouse and a shed full of cows surrounded by a landscape of terraced fields, thatched roofs and marigolds. Ducks quack and goats frolic, even though, Driard said, "I hate goats. They eat everything."

The village is a lush mountainside community of farmers tending modest fields. But upscale houses, cellphone shops and other tendrils of development are creeping in from the capital.

Driard has trouble sitting still and spends a lot of time in Katmandu, leaving much of the manure shoveling, milking and feeding to hired hands who, in a bit of management-speak carryover, he refers to as his "team."http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-nepal-cheese-20110122,0,3643649.story

Rs. 800 million, 17-Story Tower will be the tallest building in Nepal

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oOERS_b1QIQ/TNfGx61Vo2I/AAAAAAAAAK8/cH20y9YFLcY/s1600/JSB-Tower.jpg

The JSB Financial Tower in Kamaladi will be the tallest building in Kathmandu when completed. Developed by Krishi Premura Properties, the 17-storey commercial complex will have a total area of 170,000 sq ft.

The building is situated at Kamaladi, one of the capital’s prime commercial locations, and is divided into three blocks—retail outlets, commercial spaces and penthouses.

The first three floors of the tower will house retail outlets, nine floors will be set aside for offices of banks, financial institutions and multi-nationals. The top five floors will contain penthouse apartments.

“The retail outlets will feature high-end brands,” said Pravin Naulakha, manager of the JSB Financial Tower.

The JSB Financial Tower stands apart for two reasons—location and design. It is coming up in a leading commercial location containing banks and financial institutions. With the Kamaladi-Durbar Marg area turning into a financial hub of the capital, the tower has targeted banks and financial institutions as its prospective tenants.

Designed by architect Debesh Raj Bhattarai, the tower will provide the entire range of financial services under one roof. “It will be an eye-opener for Nepal,” said Bhattarai. “It’s a contemporary design which we see abroad.” Emphasis has been given to green energy in the building, he added.

All the five penthouses have been designed with spacious living and dining rooms, common bathrooms, spacious bedrooms with attached changing rooms, attached bathrooms in each bedroom and a Jacuzzi in the master bedroom.

The tower, according to architect Bhattarai, will have three-layer basement parking space which can accommodate more than 200 vehicles. The tower is equipped with high-speed wireless and optical fibre connection ideal for video conferencing and high data transmission. There will be four passenger elevators in the tower.

Formal bookings for the tower will start within a month, said Naulakha. The tower is expected to be completed within two years from the start of construction. According to Naulakha, Rasuwa Construction Co. is the main contractor of the Rs 800 million project.

Link (http://nepalieconomy.blogspot.com/2010/11/rs-800-million-17-story-tower-will-be.html)

^^like the design :okay:

Nepal Bans Smoking In All Public Places
Nepal has placed a ban on smoking in public areas with the 2010 Tobacco Control and Regulatory Act coming into effect from August 07, 2011.

According to the regulation, those caught smoking at public places will have to pay a fine and civil servants indulging in smoking at public areas will be accountable to departmental action.More : http://newstonight.net/content/nepal-bans-smoking-all-public-places

Nepal to take on USA Tuesday
KATHMANDU Aug 9: Nepal will take on the United States of America (USA) in the last match of the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday at the Limavady Cricket Club, Northen Ireland.

Nepal currently stands second in the points table with 12 points from eight games while the USA is in the fifth place with eight points. Nepal has already qualified for the U-19 World Cup while USA has not qualified yet. More: http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=34475

‘Nepal king ordered destruction of Buddha statue’
Kathmandu, Aug 8 (IANS) A former Nepali minister Monday said then King Birendra of Nepal had ordered the demolition of a Buddha statute.

Veteran politician Homnath Dahal, who was local development minister when King Gyanendra seized power in 2005, said his predecessor King Birendra ordered the army to knock down a statue of the Buddha built in western Nepal.

Dahal, a member of the opposition Nepali Congress party, said he was a journalist in the 1990s when the shocking incident occurred and he reported it in the ‘Rastriya Pukar’ publication.More: http://www.inewsone.com/2011/08/08/nepal-king-ordered-destruction-of-buddha-statue/67554

Nepal
MAP

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/nepal_pol90.jpg

SOURCE (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/nepal_pol90.jpg)

ADB‚ Japan launch new projects


HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Japan today teamed up to help Nepal reduce child malnutrition, develop new livelihood opportunity for the poor populace and promote greater access to clean energy for poor rural women.

The three projects will be funded by grants totaling $7.7 million from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) and administered by the ADB.

“From 2001 to August 2011, Nepal has been the beneficiary of ten Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction projects worth more than $17.05 million,” country director of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Barry J Hitchcock said, adding that the additional three programmes will benefit the most vulnerable and often excluded groups.

Reducing Child Malnutrition through Social Protection will help Nepal improve planning and delivery of its social protection programmes, whereas Support for targeted and sustainable development programme for highly marginalised groups will provide assistance to develop new livelihood opportunities and

improve income in the poorest and the most disadvantaged communities. Similarly, Improving Gender-Inclusive access to clean and renewable energy — a sub-regional project — will promote greater access to clean energy for poor rural women in Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

“Despite Japan’s rising expenditure for reconstruction of earthquake and tsunami in Japan, we are firmly determined to continue providing all possible assistance for the welfare of Nepal,” ambassador of Japan to Nepal Tatsuo Mizuno said, during the launching of the projects.

Japan has helped Nepal upgrade Kathmandu-Bhaktapur road under its grant aid ODA and also constructing 160-km Sindhuli road that is expected to complete in future, he said, adding that the road will help local people generate income and reduce poverty.

Finance secretary Krishnahari Baskota and Local development secretary Sushil Ghimire, on the

occasion, thanked Japan government and ADB for their consistent help in Nepal’s development.
source (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=ADB%26sbquo%3B+Japan+launch+new+projects&NewsID=301019)

PM to skirt contentious issues‚ claims DPM

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that getting cases against Maoist leaders in Indian courts annulled is the government’s top priority.

Talking to The Himalayan Times today, Shrestha said Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai would take up the issue with Indian PM Manmohan Singh during their meeting on the sidelines of the 66th UN General Assembly in New York next week and his visit to India, likely early next month.

“It’s a matter of prime concern,” Shrestha said.

Cases against as many as 11 Maoist leaders, including two politburo members, were being heard in absentia by a district court in

Patna, on the charges of their being involved in activities against ‘sovereignty of India and Nepal’.

Regarding past pacts and agreements between the two neighbours, DPM Shrestha admitted that Maoists had some “misunderstanding” with India and would like to resolve it diplomatically. He said 1950 Treaty would not be raised during the PM’s India visit, as it demands more groundwork and broad consensus among Nepali stakeholders.

“The main focus will be how to garner support and assistance from international community, including immediate neighbours, to conclude the twin tasks of ending peace process and promulgating a new constitution before November 30,” he said.

According to him, India’s long-standing demands of an early agreement on mutual-legal exchange and extradition treaties and signing on a strip map with Nepal were unlikely to be met during PM’s upcoming India visit, whose date is yet to be finalised. He said these were sensitive issues and would be addressed better in post transitional period.

The first-ever Maoist foreign minister said the government had maintained good relations with India and China, based on the principle of ‘equi-proximity’. He added that Nepal would sincerely address the “genuine security concerns” of India and China and expects reciprocity from them.

He added that the government would soon initiate the process to appoint new envoys to the countries, including India and China, where ambassadorial posts had been lying vacant. He said the envoys whose tenures were yet to end would continue to hold their posts.

He added that labour attachés would be sent to Nepali embassies in the Gulf countries to address the woes of Nepali migrant workers there. Labour and foreign ministries are yet to come to an agreement on whether the labour attachés should be deputed in the diplomatic missions or not. Files of at least six new labour attachés forwarded by the labour ministry have been lying at the foreign ministry for its approval.
source (http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullTodays.php?headline=PM+to+skirt+contentious+issues%26sbquo%3B+claims+DPM&NewsID=302981)

Bhattarai adds six ministers to Cabinet


KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai today made third Cabinet expansion in less than three weeks of assuming office on the backing of Madhes-based parties.

With the induction of six more ministers from the four parties the number of the council of ministers has reached 21. Ironically, the PM had said his Cabinet would be a small one.

The PM administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sharat Singh Bhandari, Lekharaj Bhatta, Gopal Kirati, Anil Jha, Brijesh Kumar Gupta and Hem Raj Tated in the

presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav in Shital Niwas.

Bhatta and Kirati represent UCPN-Maoist and they were also in Pushpa Kamal Dahal led government in 2008. Leaders of United Democratic Madhesi Front, Bhandari and Tated, belong to MJF-Democratic, Jha is the chairman of the newly formed Federal Sadbhawana Party, the breakaway faction from the Sadbhawana Party-led by Rajendra

Mahato, and Gupta represents Tarai Madhes Democratic Party.

Dr Bhattarai had appointed Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, chairman of MJF-Democratic, the largest party of UDMF, as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs on August 29. In the second expansion on September 4, 13 more ministers were inducted from parties in the UDMF, besides UCPN-M.

New incumbents

• Sharat Singh Bhandari: Defence Minister

• Lekharaj Bhatta: Commerce and Supplies Minister

• Gopal Kirati: Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly Parliamentary Affairs and Culture Minister

• Anil Jha: Industry Minister

• Brijesh Kumar Gupta: Law and Justice Minister

• Hem Raj Tated: Environment Minister

source (http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullTodays.php?headline=Bhattarai+adds+six+ministers+to+Cabinet&NewsID=302980)

Hospital cafeteria selling rotten stuff


KATHMANDU: A hospital cafeteria in the nerve centre of the Capital city has been selling stale food that smells awful.

Arjun Cafeteria is playing with health of patients and their visitors right on the premises of Chabahil-based Om Hospital. This came to light after a market monitoring team comprising the representatives of the Department of Commerce, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, consumer rights bodies and the media inspected the cafeteria run by Arjun Timalsina today.

Dr Khil Nath Bastakoti, Director at the DoC, painted a sordid picture: “The cafeteria was found to be flouting minimum standard of hygiene. Flies were devouring the food items when the team made its way into the kitchen. The vegetables were found to be rotten,” he said.

To make things worse, the cafeteria was serving tap water to the consumers without treatment or

filtration. Food items meant for sale were home to houseflies.

“Loaves of bread and ready-to-eat potato chips showcased in the cafeteria did not have manufacture or expiry dates or brand name,” Dr Bastakoti told this correspondent. The cafeteria was also on the wrong side of the law, as it had not got its food licence renewed.

Madhav Timalsina, a consumer rights activists and part of the monitoring team urged the authorities concerned to take stern action against the cafeteria owner for catering spurious food to the patients on the hospital premises.
source (http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullTodays.php?headline=Hospital+cafeteria+selling+rotten+stuff&NewsID=302978)

Power tariff commission


KATHMANDU: The Cabinet decided on Thursday to form a new electricity tariff fixation commission led by Ganesh Prasad Subba. Ministry of Energy had proposed to form the tariff commission. Other members are Shri Krishna Acharya, Tilak Bahadur Chepang and Uttar Kumar Shrestha. The previous commission led by former water resources secretary Mahendra Aryal was dissolved by the Jhala Nath Khanal-led government after it refused to increase the electricity tariff. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bharat Mohan Adhikary on March 23 had announced the dissolution of ETFC.
source (http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullTodays.php?headline=Power+tariff+commission&NewsID=302977)

^^

Home‚ PMO secys get transfers

KATHMANDU: The Cabinet today transferred Home Secretary Lilamani Paudel to the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and OPMC Secretary Sushil Jung Rana to the Home Ministry despite Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai’s pledge to not transfer senior government officials before he completes at least one month in office.

Assuming office 20 days ago, Dr Bhattarai had made the pledge at a meeting with senior government officials, expressing hope that this discourage governments from going for haphazard transfer of government officials right after the change of guard.

“The PM had promised not to make the transfers, but this decision is an exception,” said government Spokesperson and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

Shrestha informed that today’s Cabinet meeting also cleared the confusion regarding the national dress.

“Henceforth, Nepali dress shall mean all dresses that have been in use in the mountains, hills and the Tarai.”

The Cabinet also passed Directives on Austerity Measures. The directive pledges not to create new posts in government offices and bars government offices and officials from using additional facilities flouting regulatory provisions.

It bars the establishment of guest houses under government offices, purchase of more than a copy of books and newspapers for an office and the granting gratuity to any organisation except the ones specified in the fiscal budget.

The Cabinet appointed Dr Jitendra Mahaseth as adviser to Health and Population Minister Rajendra Mahato.

source (http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Home%26sbquo%3B+PMO+secys+get+transfers&NewsID=303067)

Govt appoints Rana Home Secretary

KATHMANDU: The government has relieved the responsibility of Home Secretary Lilamani Paudel and appointed Sushil Jang Rana in his place on Friday.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, a meeting of the cabinet has transferred Paudel to the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in a special decision. He added that the government has endorsed the Government Expenditure Directive 2068.

source (http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Govt+appoints+Rana+Home+Secretary&NewsID=303023)

Literary Jatra off to enthralling start

KATHMANDU: With Nepali as well as foreign luminaries from the literary world and an enthusiastic audience taking part in it, the Kathmandu Literary Jatra kicked off to a resounding start here in the Patan Durbar Square complex on Friday.

Veteran Nepali culture expert and writer Satya Mohan Joshi opened the three-day festival this afternoon.

The festival, which the organisers have claimed to be first of its kind in the country, aims at providing a platform for the Nepali literature to engage with its international counterpart and project it to the global stage.

In the one of the first sessions held at the inner courtyard of the 15th century palace that houses Patan Museum today, Gopal Ashka, Narayan Dhakal and Sharada Sharma spoke on “Nepali Literature in the Age of Democracy”. In a parallel session at the NMB hall next door, Gopal Thakur, Rabindra Mishra, Sujeev Shakya and Sarad Pradhan talked about “Writing and Change”.


http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/includes/vignette.php?img=../newsImages/nepaliNews/THT80FC9354_spellboundaudience_litjatra.jpg&h=196&w=296&c=1

The spellbound audience listening to Tarun Tejpal speaking at one of the session in the inner courtyard of Patan Durbar on Friday.

source (http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Literary+Jatra+off+to+enthralling+start&NewsID=303021#)

^^

The second session with Indian novelist and editor Tarun Tejpal attracted a big audience. He shared his experiences as a journalist and writer under the theme “Uncovering the Truth”.

http://thehimalayantimes.com/userfiles/image/tarun-tejpal-litjatra-.jpg

http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Literary+Jatra+off+to+enthralling+start&NewsID=303021#

Sporting a gray stubble, a ponytailed Tejpal (pictured) pointed out the need for translation of South Asian literature in the regional languages. Karna Shakya spoke in another session titled “Getting Things done!”.


http://thehimalayantimes.com/userfiles/image/litjatra-yg-rm-dkj.jpg

The first-day events concluded with a poetry recitation in various languages.

The participants—30 Nepali and 10 international writers and poets— will take part in readings, workshops and hold thematic discussions on various topics pertaining to Nepal and South Asia in both a socio-political and literary context during the event, according to the organisers.


http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNew...NewsID=303021#

Is Shrestha a popular name in Nepal?

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6065/6112847494_41a7cf9d9a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/delta0921/6112847494/)
ネパール111 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/delta0921/6112847494/) by delta0921 (http://www.flickr.com/people/delta0921/), on Flickr

Dharahara (Nepali: धरहरा), also called Bhimsen Tower, is a nine story (61.88m) tall tower at the center of Sundhara[1], Kathmandu. It is situated in the historical city of Kathmandu, and is a part of Architecture of Kathmandu recognized by UNESCO. It was built in 1832 by the Prime Minister of the time, Bhimsen Thapa of Nepal. Bhimsen Thapa built the tower under the orders of Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari.

The tower has a spiral staircase containing 213 steps. The 8th floor holds a circular balcony for observers that provides a panoramic view of the whole Kathmandu valley. The tower has a 5.2m bronze mast on the roof. The tower has been open for the general public since 2005 for a small fee.

Coordinates:27.698°N 85.306°E

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kathmandu_Bhimsen_Tower.jpg

:horse:

The pics?

pics please


Will going to share lot of pics once my picture sharing enabled.... With Natural Sky scrapers

Cheers

Hi all,

I want to share ancient wooden architecture of Nepal. All are invited to contribute the same....

Cheers

:)

The growing rhino population is one of Nepal’s rare success stories

KATHMANDU — In a nation where a civil war and years of political deadlock have stunted prosperity and development, the burgeoning rhino population is one of Nepal’s rare success stories.

The Himalayan country’s endangered one-horned rhinoceros has increased its numbers significantly over recent years thanks to tightened security against poachers and community conservation programs.

Wildlife experts spent a month last year conducting an exhaustive survey and counted 534 rhinos in Nepal’s southern forests — 99 more than when the last such census was carried out in 2008.

“Despite all the hardship during the unrest in the country, we continued our support to the fullest extent to control poaching of rhinos and we are glad that our efforts have yielded positive results,” said Diwakar Chapagain of WWF Nepal’s wildlife trade control program.
The wildlife organization, which has been involved in anti-poaching and anti-trafficking programs as well as habitat research for more than 30 years, expects numbers to keep improving.The picture was not always so positive.

Thousands of greater one-horned rhinos, also known as the Indian rhinoceros, once roamed Nepal and northern India but their numbers plunged over the last century due to poaching and human encroachment on their habitat.

The animals are killed for their horns, which are prized for their reputed medicinal qualities in China and Southeast Asia.

A single horn can sell for tens of thousands of dollars on the international black market, and impoverished Nepal’s porous borders, weak law enforcement and proximity to China have made the country a hub for the illegal trade.

The population decline was particularly dramatic during Nepal’s 1996-2006 civil war, when soldiers on anti-poaching details were re-deployed to fight a Maoist guerrilla insurgency.

“Because the security forces had to engage in other national security issues, priority to park security and wildlife protection was weakened,” said Chapagain.

“Similarly, park guard posts were decreased to a few posts in a single location, which left a security vacuum in the habitats of the rhino and other wildlife.

“Poachers could go to parks without any fear of arrest.”

When the conflict ended, the government made a priority of rebuilding its wildlife protection apparatus, said Maheshwar Dhakal, an ecologist with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

“But it took some time for the results to appear because the poachers had changed their strategies. They waited for the rains or night time so that the guards wouldn’t be there,” Dhakal told AFP.

“They entered the conservation areas from the bushes and during festivals when the security was at a minimum.”

A key turning point in the fight to save the rhino occurred in 2009, when the government decided to enlist community groups to protect the animals, Dhakal said.

“We started to exchange information and create awareness campaigns in the local areas. We enlisted a group of local volunteers who would go on patrol in the jungle,” he said.

“It boosted the morale of the local people. We also developed a network of committees under our office to make our efforts more coordinated.”
This new approach yielded remarkable results last year, the first since records began in which no deaths of rhinos at the hands of poachers were recorded in Nepal.

“On the one hand, the Nepalese Army’s patrolling was becoming more effective, and the police also arrested several poachers, on the other,” said Dhakal.

“These campaigns were instrumental in the rise of numbers of rhinos and the decline in the illegal trade of their organs.”

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Nepal+Mountain+country+winning+battle+against+rhino+poaching/6614960/story.html

Admin: I am not been able to attach photos, till then I am sharing only news...

Written by by Florine RochePictures by Rethesh Kumar
May 10, 2012



For ardent trekkers with an adventurous streak of mind, Nepal, the landlocked mountainous country offers enormous opportunities to trek to their heart’s content. For trekkers who are fit as a fiddle, who like to challenge themselves and have an open mind to explore and experience pristine natural beauty and distinct culture Nepal certainly lives up to its nickname as a trekker’s paradise or adventure destination. Adorned with the ice-cold mountains of the Himalayan range this land of frondescent hills, deep valleys, yaks, stupas, monasteries, temples and Sherpas offers variety and diversity to thousands of trekkers who flock to witness its beauty and splendor in abundance every year from different parts of the world.
This April I finally achieved my long term ambition of reaching the Everest Base Camp and also Kala Pathar getting a rich dosage of its cultural vibrancy and enjoying one of the best trekking I have ever undertaken so far. Apart from feasting on the beauty of worlds highest peak Mt Everest (8848 m) and some of the of other tallest mountains from the closest range possible from Nepal’s side like Nuptse (7861m), Lhotse (8526m) Ama Dablam (6856m) I also got a once in a life time opportunity to witness nature in its pristine form and get a glimpse of the lifestyle of the Sherpas, the original inhabitants of Nepal’s side of Himalaya, well known for their mountaineering skills. Though the trekking to this terrain is graded as adventurous but moderate to medium difficult, it is quite challenging for normal trekkers especially those from Mangalore or other areas which are at sea level as they have to beat altitude sickness.
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-1.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-2.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-3.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-4.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-5.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-6.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-7.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-8.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-9.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-10.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-11.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-12.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-13.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-14.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-15.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-16.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-17.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-18.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-19.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-20.jpg

To be continued........

Source: http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclusive_arch.asp?ex_id=1868

Written by Florine Roche

Pictures by Tethesh Kumar
May10, 2012

Lukla – the Gateway:


From Kathmandu I arrived in Lukla by flight and from here began the journey to our destination covering a distance of 120 kms to reach Everest Base Camp (EBC). There are airlines like Sita, Agni, Budha, Yeti with small planes ranging from 10 to 20 seaters to take trekkers to Lukla from Kathmandu. We had trekked an additional 50 kms that included trekking during the two rests and the additional trekking we did at higher elevation in order to acclimatize. While it took 8 days to ascend, the journey back took only 4 days and could have been covered in 3 days also. Lukla is the gateway to the mountain region and except for human and yaks there are no other means of transport in this entire region.
As we strode the winding path with our rucksacks firmly perched on our backs we came across hordes of jubilant trekkers crisscrossing us as many trekkers were returning triumphantly having completed the arduous journey. We reached Phakding village after about 5 hours of trekking and rested for the day as it was getting darker, though we were to go to Monju as per our plan. Our lodge was on the bank of the Dudh Kosi River giving us a panoramic view of the pine forest and the smaller snow-clad peaks. This Dudh Kosi River has been a part of our trekking trail all through.

Glimpse of Sherpa Culture
The next day’s journey, to Namche Bazar, was one of the toughest in the entire trail as it was a steep upward climb and we started off early morning. If we had covered Monju the first day our journey to Namche Bazar would not have been such a grueling one. After a few minutes of walk from Monju comes the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park which covers the Everest region. An entrance fee of $20 has to be paid and here they keep the records of trekkers going to and from the place. They issue us Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) cards, which is a must for all trekkers entering this trekking region which helps them to track missing trekkers. Somehow, tired and weary we reached in Namche Bazar, the capital of Sherpas. Namche Bazar is a vibrant settlement set on the ridge resembling like an amphitheatre and from here one can get the first view of the imposing Everest and other peaks.
It was rest day and we went around Namche Bazar to see the local culture, the museum, the tea shops and guest houses and make do whatever little shopping we required for higher elevation like, exchanging Nepalese currency, buying trekking poles (stick) and toiletries. We then decided to go to a higher elevation to acclimatize and after a steep one and half hour climb reached Shyangboche airstrip to come to Everest View Point hotel. From here we could get the first glimpse of the mighty Mt Everest standing tall and taunting us. We trudged along Khunde and Khumjung villages passing through numerous Buddhist stone monuments and arrived at our guest house late evening. On the way we stopped at tea-shops to have lemon tea or a quick bite of something to boost our energy levels or just to take a short break from the grueling schedule.
We decided to here porters from Namche Bazar to conserve our energy as our destination was EBC. From Namche Bazar we started off early morning to proceed to Tengboche and on the trail we were greeted by the beautiful Rhododendruns, the national flower of Nepal. Passing through this trail also gives a good view of Ama Dablam considered to be the most beautiful mountains in Nepal by many. We reached about 7 kms to reach Phungi Thanga and from here a steep high to reach Tengbuche. Here we saw the beautiful Tengboche monastery. We walked another 2 kms and rested at Debuche savouring some of the local food like Sherpa stew with noodles, momos or egg omelette with Yak cheese. Yak steak (available mostly in these regions) is quite a sought after dish by trekkers from Europe and America.

Acclimatization a Must
Our next destination was Dingboche where we rested for a day as part of acclimatization. Hot shower facility is available in most guest houses with makeshift bathrooms and as we go to higher elevation the cost also increases. But we cannot complain because everything including gas cylinder has to be transported from Kathmandu through land and transported by manual labour or through Yaks. Paying Rs. 400 (Nepalese) for a shower is quite moderate if the cost of transportation is taken into consideration. Wood also becomes a scarce commodity from Dingboche onwards as trees become sparse in colder regions.
Sudden change of weather is normal in this region and sometimes after 2 pm it becomes cloudy or too breezy and trekking is risky in such conditions. So we usually used to trek in the morning hours as much as possible and afternoon was mainly meant for additional trekking to cover higher altitude. At Dingboche we had a surprise when it started to snow at 2 pm. It made the area still cooler. After having a hot shower and having freshened up we went higher altitude conquering a steep peak as the weather improved in the evening. There was another surprise as the next morning we were in for another surprise as we were treated to a fiesta of snow all around us. We trekked to Chukung valley as part of our trekking and climbed the highest altitude of 5106 meters to test our endurance at this level. On the way we could watch Island Peak and Makalu from a close distance.
Altitude sickness is common and common symptoms include head ache, vomiting, fatigue and in severe form may lead to walking like a drunkard and breathlessness. Going to higher altitude and coming down to lower altitudes helps to overcome it to a great extent. Many trekkers have beaten a hasty retreat half way through unable to overcome altitude sickness.
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-40.jpghttp://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-41.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-42.jpghttp://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-43.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-21.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-22.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-23.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-24.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-25.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-26.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-27.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-28.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-29.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-30.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-31.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-32.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-33.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-34.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-35.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-36.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-37.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-38.jpg
http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/ever_100512-39.jpg

Mt Everest – Near yet Far
On reaching Lobuche about 8 kms of steep highs and downs had a quick lunch and went for higher altitude to reach about 5000 m. Some in the group felt slight head ache and fatigue (altitude sickness) but by now having climbed to higher altitudes constantly we were ready to face it. April 24 was that D Day we started from Lobuche to Gorakshep at 7 am even in the biting cold. By 11 we had reached Gorakshep and after keeping our bags at the guest house headed towards EBC covering about 8 kms. The walk is quite exhaustive due to high altitude and thin air. At around 2.30pm I reached the destination I was eagerly looking forward to all these days. At Everest base camp one is treated to the splendorous and ferly Khumbu ice fall and partial sight of mighty Everest sandwiched between Lho La and Nuptse peaks. Everest Base Camp is the starting point for expeditions by different countries to scale on the summit and is bustling with activity. Colorful tents set up by expeditions from different countries (including India) dotted the place. A leader of an Indian expedition told us that there were 32 teams at EBC during this season.
Having reached the goal we were back in Gorakshep to get ourselves pepped up for the final day’s journey to Kala Pathar (black stone) which offers magnificent view of Mt Everest. We started early morning to capture the sunrise atop the Everest and in the cold chilly conditions I was up by and was ready to face another stiff challenge and by 5 am we were heading to climb Kala Pathar. I had worn two shirts, sweater, thermal wear and a down jacket and had wrapped myself with monkey cap, a shawl. Two pair of woolen socks covered by feet and had worn two pairs of gloves on my palms. Still my feet and hands felt numb even after climbing for an hour or so. I kept rubbing my hands but the backbreaking path and difficult terrain made even that impossible. After 2 hours of hard labour I was on top Kala Pathar with mount Pumori on the background and from here we could get the most astounding view of Mt Everest and its neighboring peaks like namely Lhotse and Nuptse. I must say I had reached the acme of my trek and having embedded the scene in my memory and after capturing those scenes in the camera I began to descend.

Etched in Mind
Same day we began our journey to Lobuche and halted there after trekking for another 16 kms. Next we came to Pheriche after trekking more than 20 kms all day long. On 28th we were back in Lukla treading the same path through Namche and Phakding. On 29th our flight was scheduled at 9 am and we were in Kathmandu by 11 am.
All through the trekking one has to go through graded paths and though the climb to EBC does not call for any technical expertise any average trekker with good fitness levels, strong will power and with an inclination to work hard to acclimatize to higher elevations, will be able to complete the trek. My lips had to bear the brunt of the severe cold and my nose was like a wound on fire due to constant watering and slight bleeding. But it was a small price I had to pay for all the eudemonia that I experienced by watching the breathtaking beauty of the mountains. Carrying enough Nepali currency is essential to meet the mounting expenses of food and shelter all through. Trekkers must carry petroleum jelly or glycerin and cold cream to reduce the severity of such a situation. Sunscreen is a must as the sun’s rays are quite strong in this region. Children with sun-burnt cheeks are a common sight here.
All through the trek routes there are numerous guest houses and tea shops and the accommodation is quite cheap with Rs. 200 or 300 (Nepalese) on twin sharing basis. Indian currency is valued at 1.6 in Nepali which means Indian Rs. 100/- is valued at Rs. 160/- in Nepali currency. They provide woolen bed sheets which often smell bad but using a thin bed sheets or carrying one’s own sleeping bag helps. The only condition in these guest houses is that one has to eat in their guest houses and the high cost of food ranging from Rs. 400 to 700 per meal helps them cover the cost. Meals both veg and non-veg and snacks are easily available in these guest houses. Certain luxuries like drinking hot water internet and mobile or camera charging facility comes at a price ranging from Rs. 300/- which goes up to Rs. 1000/- per hour as we go higher. Most of the guest houses are run by women and I presume their men go as Guides to the trekkers, which is quite rewarding.
Suspension bridges form a part of the trekking itinerary all through this region both for men and the beasts (animals especially yaks). One can even witness ice fall or breaking of rocks due to cold during the trek. Yaks and porters give constant company to trekkers all through the journey. Porters who carry the rucksacks as well as goods to higher places with their baskets or load firmly on their backs are also ubiquitous all through the trekking route. When I struggled to carry a bag of 10 kg I wonder how these porters carry such a huge load ranging from 50 kg and above. Ultimately they have to do it for a living and often it is the only way of livelihood for these people.
This experience is something to be felt and words are not suffice to express it fully. Needless to say I treasure the experience of trekking in this naturally beautiful mountainous terrain enjoying a perfect fusion of adventure and culture in addition to taking up the challenge successfully.

Source: http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclusive_arch.asp?ex_id=1868

Apartment culture is rapidly flourishing in Kathmandu, hope these are as per Earthquake proof design ::banana::banana::banana:

CIVIL HOMES PHASE IV - APARTMENTS

http://www.civilhomes.com/img/phase_IV/type_apartments/apartment.jpgCivil Apartment at Civil Homes Phase IV Project comprises of 6 Apartment Blocks accomodates 304 units of flats. The Apartment Building in six individual blocks has been spread over an area of 27 Ropanis.
There are 2 Zones, Zone 1 with 2 blocks of Fourteen storied each are placed near the entry plaza accomodating 88 units of flats and Zone 2 with 4 blocks 18 storied each are placed on the far northern side with good view of Himalayan range. The later four blocks accommodates 216 units of flats.
http://www.civilhomes.com/img/phase_IV/type_apartments/apartment-zone1.jpghttp://www.civilhomes.com/img/phase_IV/type_apartments/apartment-zone2.jpgEach Apartments accommodates 2,3 and 4 bedroom flats with spacious living/dinning area, kitchen/store a common bathroom standard bed rooms an attached bathroom with changing room in the master bed room. Each flat is facilitated with maid room/toilet and spacious balconies to each flat. Each apartment block has it own parking lots as well landscaped greenery on its surrounding.

ELEPHANT BEAUTY CONTEST IN NEPAL
CHITWAN, Nepal, Dec 29 (NNN-Bernama) -- It's freezing cold at the bank of Rapti river on Friday morning but Aar Mohammad, 20, a mahout, is busy bathing his elephant for the beauty contest at the Chitwan Elephant festival.

"I came here early morning because today is the beauty contest, normally I bathe my elephant at 11 am," he told Xinhua. Read more (http://namnewsnetwork.org/v3/read.php?id=MjE2NjU2)

Nepal Army chief meets Indian counterpart in New Delhi
KATHMANDU: Nepal Army’s Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) General Gaurav Shumsher Rana held meet his Indian counterpart General Bikram Singh in New Delhi, Monday.

In the meeting held at General Singh’s office, the duo discussed the matter of bilateral interests. Read more (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Nepal+Army+chief+meets+Indian+counterpart+in+New+Delhi&NewsID=360850)

Jack Stefanowski appointed Nepali football coach
KATHMANDU: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Vice President and spokesperson Lalit Krishna Shrestha, has confirmed to THT-Online on Monday, that Jack Stefanowski of Puerto Rico has been officially appointed as the national coach of Nepali football team for a year.

Stefanowski is arriving in Nepal this evening and ANFA is organizing a press meet to reveal further information. Read more (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Jack+Stefanowski+appointed+Nepali+football+coach&NewsID=360854)

Hello! Anyone interested in more pictures of Nepal can view these pages. I started them seeing that very few threads existed for my home country. :)

Nepal:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1557104

Kathmandu:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1554766

Single post threads
Nepal Airlines to land in Doha - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=727988)
Nepal Airlines Suspends International Flights - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=506227)

This one is not updated?
Threads Tagged with nepal (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/tags.php?tag=nepal)

Isn't it a good idea to have all the treads of Nepal in one single place?

NEPAL | Kathmandu (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1111255)
Kathmandu, Nepal - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1554766)
Nepal - Home of the Great Himalayas - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=897734)
Nepal - Land of the Himalayas - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1557104)
Nepal, mysterious country. - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1529165)
PHOTOGRAPHY OF NEPAL - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1442604)
(Intl) Nepal - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1445737)
Nepal - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=958888)
Nepal - One photo per post (open to all) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=985474)
!!!! Amazing Nepal !!! - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1321315)
Climbing the Nepal Himalaya - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1375427)
small country Nepal:full of mystica colors - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=399976)
Climbing the Nepal Himalaya test - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=161786)

Single post threads
Nepal Airlines to land in Doha - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=727988)
Nepal Airlines Suspends International Flights - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=506227)

This one is not updated?
Threads Tagged with nepal (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/tags.php?tag=nepal)

I think we have enough forumers participating in regards to Nepal. I was hoping that if we could start a separate Nepal sub-forum under Asian skyscraper forum. Maybe distinguish developement topic from everything else (like photography videos maybe politics etc.)
http://www.housingnepal.com/
http://www.ktm2day.com/
Pasted above are couple links to websites pertaining developement that are currently occurring in Nepal. I will attempt to find more links,pictures,blogs etc to keep the forum informative and inviting.

Nepal turns to renewable energy (http://www.irinnews.org/fr/Report/97789/Nepal-turns-to-renewable-energy)

KATHMANDU, 5 avril 2013 (IRIN) - Nepal’s recently adopted policy of subsidizing renewable energy is the latest of many attempts to electrify long-deprived areas, but much more is needed, say experts.

The new policy funds technologies sourced from hydropower, solar, biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by fermenting organic matter) and - for the first time - wind. The policy also seeks to use biomass, a traditional energy source, more efficiently.


Untapped energy

Despite Nepal’s potential wealth in solar energy and hydropower (the highest after Brazil) and three decades of research, development of these energies has not kept pace with population growth.


Slow uptake

Most of the country’s current energy needs are met with inefficiently used biomass, including firewood (75 percent), agricultural residues (4 percent) and animal waste (6 percent). The rest is met by commercial sources, including petroleum, coal and electricity.


New subsidy

The new policy emphasizes reaching women and the “socially excluded” with targeted subsidies.

These subsidies replace old ones that were not as specific about distinguishing where users lived, did not factor in the difficulty or cost of developing renewable energy, and did not give special concessions to women and other vulnerable groups. The new subsidies will no longer be flat-rate and will take into account the actual cost of tapping alternative energies for communities.

Sheraton re-enters Nepal (http://ekantipur.com/2013/04/10/business/sheraton-re-enters-nepal/369772.html)

* NRN Ghale signs deal for five-star hotel project in heart of Kathmandu


Slated to open in February 2018, the 225-room Sheraton Kathmandu Hotel will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Ghale had stated during the NRN Day function on Oct 11, 2012 that he had been holding discussions with global hotel chains for his hotel project.

Nepal, India & Bangladesh to make most of Ganga water, hydropower (http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/nepal-india-bangladesh-to-make-most-of-ganga-water-hydropower/article4617600.ece)

According to a note prepared by the Ministries of Power, Water Resources and External Affairs, the Ganga Basin has tremendous potential for development of water resources and hydropower. Therefore, the role of the Ganga in the agriculture, hydro-power, fisheries, navigation, and environmental sectors and in the economy of the co-basin countries is vital. The joint initiative will contribute to poverty eradication and better socio-economic integration.

Nepal to encourage Chinese investments: Dahal (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53210)

"China and India can provide relief to our ailing economy by allowing the entry of our products at zero or concessional tariff rates and encouraging their citizens to visit us for correcting the adverse balance of payment", Dahal noted.

Nepal seeks US$11.5m loan for Udayapur Cement plant (http://ekantipur.com/2013/04/17/top-story/carter-has-no-right-to-suggest-on-nepals-internal-affairs/370140.html)

Nepal: The Nepalese Ministry of Industry intends to petition the Russian government for a US$11.5m grant to upgrade equipment at the Udayapur Cement Factory, the country's largest state-owned cement plant.

UAE, Nepal ink deal to expand air travel services (http://www.arabianbusiness.com/uae-nepal-ink-deal-expand-air-travel-services-498408.html)

The UAE and Nepal have signed an air service agreement allowing its state-run carriers to operate up to 70 flights a week between the countries.


The airlines also will be able to operate an unlimited number of cargo flights using any kind of aircraft.

US investors seek investment security (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53267)

“At present US investors are hesitating to invest in Nepal given the insecure investment climate in the country,” Heather Revariava, director of State Department (South Asia) of the US, said at a program held in Biratnagar on Tuesday.

Highrise construction in the capital city of Kathmandu
Horizon Parkview Apts
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p480x480/403038_329808553706440_1128016949_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/p480x480/386576_317857908234838_1295675474_n.jpg

http://www.myrepublica.com/news_images/13738.jpg

Grande Towers in Dhapasi
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/AdminFeatured/PerspectiveNewsImages/newsImages/tower.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZYiZe3NaXk/UM6nRy0takI/AAAAAAAACBU/pRv1Fr4yLc0/s1600/IMG_2750.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W_qgQU99WNE/TLb2jKppVFI/AAAAAAAACUo/kvogzrQs-H4/s400/APRT.png

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8319597623_21f8a466b4_c.jpg

Pashmina export to India encouraging (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Pashmina+export+to+India+encouraging&NewsID=373500)

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Export of Nepali pashmina products to India showed some improvement in the first eight months of 2012-13 as compared to last fiscal year. However, exports to other countries have fallen by 47.7 per cent, states the central bank statistics.

“There are a number of factors behind the encouraging figures of pashmina exports,” said president of Nepal Pashmina Industries Association (NPIA) Pushpa Man Shrestha. “Exports have been quite satisfactory and will improve further after International Trade Centre (ITC)’s support programme is implemented,” he said.


n addition, the government is helping with the process of registering the ‘Chyangra Pashmina’ trademark in Russia, United Arab Emirates, China, India, South Africa, Thailand, Brazil and Taiwan.


According to NPIA, around 20 different industries have an export of Rs one billion to third countries along with India.

TCH Tower Sitapaila
http://vastukalanepal.com/img/pimages/23/23wide.jpg

http://vastukalanepal.com/img/pimages/23/gallery/4.jpg

Retreat Tower Bijeyswori
http://www.cerealestate.com.np/projects/retreat_apartment/images/retreat_apartment.jpg

Rio Apartments Kopundole
http://1ropani.com/Photo/Large/50b5d864-ce19-44a8-b29a-7b181e5158cc.jpg

Grande Towers Dhapasi
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/68953166.jpg

http://www.1ropani.com/ce/img/gt_bld2.jpg

http://www.1ropani.com/ce/img/gt_bld1.jpg

http://www.1ropani.com/Photo/Large/56aa991a-049f-421d-aadc-f0d9c7ab149c.jpg

http://www.1ropani.com/Photo/Large/4278324d-c6fe-4760-a5fb-94c4c4b639e4.jpg

Imperial Court Sanepa
http://imperialcourt.com.np/images/gallery/building.jpg

http://imperialcourt.com.np/images/gallery/building-day.jpg

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/newsImages/homeImg/THT7764B779_12.jpg

http://www.myrepublica.com/Public/UserFiles/Image/301208/rising1.jpg

Grande International Hospital Kathmandu
http://lexlimbu.com/wp-content/uploads/Grande-International-Hospital-Kathmandu-2.jpg

http://lexlimbu.com/wp-content/uploads/Grande-International-Hospital-Kathmandu-1.jpg

^^

Nice pictures. It is taking more time for pictures to load in a low speed internet connection like mine. So, appreciate if less number of pictures are posted per post.

Govt to expand research opportunities for scholars (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53691)

It is believed that over 45,000 skilled human resources and talents were last year forced to go abroad, citing lack of research opportunities within the country.

According to the statistics made available by the Department of Foreign Employment, around 200 youths receiving the graduation degree leave the country in connection with foreign employment every day.

Nepali honey to get quality certification soon (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Nepali+honey+to+get+quality+certification+soon+&NewsID=374010)

Despite being listed in the NTIS products list, in recent times, honey export has seen a plunge as according to Trade and Export Promotion Centre’s data, the country had exported honey worth only Rs 5,000 in the eight months of the current fiscal year, against exports of Rs 215,000 in the same period of last fiscal year.


Organic honey produced especially in the far western region, has a large potential in international niche markets and can be sold at relatively high prices, but quality certification is a must for importers, especially the European Union (EU), which has stringent regulations relating to the production and trade of honey. Currently, only 40 non-EU countries are eligible to export honey to the EU.


According to a MEDEP report, Nepal produces 10,000 tonnes of honey annually. An estimated 125,000 beehives have been installed by farmers.

Solar Powered Computers for Off-Grid Schools (http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5364&Itemid=189)

"Once I got to Nepal, I was running a blog, taking photos and so on, saying ‘We need computers,'" he says. "I did a fundraising run in Nepal and that raised enough to buy 30 computers at US$300 each - US$10,000 if you include the solar panels."

Imperial Court Sanepa
http://imperialcourt.com.np/images/gallery/building-day.jpg
Beautiful!

Nigerian firm shows interest to invest $550m in Nepal (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53836)

KATHMANDU, April 28: Dangote Cement PLC, a part of Nigeria-based multinational Dangote Group, has expressed interest to establish a cement factory worth US$550 million (approximately Rs 49.5 billion) in Nepal.

MOU to advance trade between Taiwan, Nepal (http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign-affairs/2013/04/28/377217/MOU-to.htm)

Trade between Taiwan and Nepal totalled US$8.6 million in 2012, according to government statistics. Taiwan's main exports are plastic products, machinery and textiles, while its main imports are metal accessories, blankets, and scarves.

Historic sites renovated with Indian aid (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Historic+sites+renovated+with+Indian+aid+&NewsID=374353)

LALITPUR: India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Jayant Prasad, today inaugurated a project involving renovation and restoration of historical and cultural sites located in Lalitpur district at a public function in Napichandra Mahabihar.

The project includes renovation and restoration of Napi Chandra Mahabihar, Daubahal Gate, Farmer’s Society House, Pavilion at Indrayani Park, Garden at Machhindra Bahal and a crematorium at Shankhamul, the Embassy of India said in a press release.

Nepal, China agree to promote zero tariff export items (http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/index.php?ref=MjBfMDRfMjdfMTNfMV85MF8xNjc2OTY=)

Although China has provided zero duty facility on 7,787 products since November 2012, up from 4,721 items previously, Nepal has been exporting only 366 products including handicraft items, pashmina, vegetable ghee and noodles, according to data from the Trade and Export Promotion Center.

Initiative to promote tourism in Chobhar (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Initiative+to+promote+tourism+in++Chobhar+&NewsID=374363)

KIRTIPUR: In a bid to promote tourism in the Chobhar area‚ a south-western belt of the capital city‚ the Jalbinayak Community Forest Users’ Group organised a visit for mediapersons.

Silver City, Silver Valley Developers Kalikasthan's Silver City has 97 apartments and three exclusive penthouses. Don't worry if you have a party, Silver City has a hall fit for over 250 invitees.

http://www.nepalitimes.com/imgbank/article/2011/nt5094.jpg
Nepali Times (http://nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18544#.UX1NEtdLv00)

Wester Residency, Wester Properties Located in Balkumari, Westar Residency is opening soon with 212 apartments. Vaastu compliant Wester prides in preserving the open spaces in its area for all age groups.

http://www.nepalitimes.com/imgbank/article/2011/nt5101.jpg
Nepali Times (http://nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18544#.UX1NEtdLv00)

City View Apartment, Downtown Housing If you've been looking for an apartment in Sanepa, your search will take you to City View Apartments. Hurry before all of their spacious 38 apartments are booked.

http://www.nepalitimes.com/imgbank/article/2011/nt5097.jpg
Nepali Times (http://nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18544#.UX1NEtdLv00)

Civil Apartment, Civil Homes The pioneers in gated community living, Civil Homes have started Civil Homes Phase IV Project, with Civil Apartments. Located in Dhapakhel, the project comprises of 6 blocks with 304 apartment units.

http://www.nepalitimes.com/imgbank/article/2011/nt5099.jpg
Nepali Times (http://nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18544#.UX1NEtdLv00)

Cityscape Apartment Homes, CG Developers Cross the Ring Road to Hattiban, and you will find Cityscape Apartment Homes. This project offers 200 apartments in their first phase.

http://www.nepalitimes.com/imgbank/article/2011/nt5098.jpg
Nepali Times (http://nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18544#.UX1NEtdLv00)

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/cityscape-apartments.jpg
ktm2day (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/2/)

Central Park Premium, Clean Developers Central Park Premium Apartments is situated in Bishalnagar. Central Park claims to be eco-friendly with technologies that decrease their energy consumption by 30 per cent.

http://www.nepalitimes.com/imgbank/article/2011/nt5096.jpg
Nepali Times (http://nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18544#.UX1NEtdLv00)

Park View Horizon Apartment, Varun Developers One of the first high-rise apartments in Nepal is Dhapasi's Park View Horizon. Park View has 212 apartments with floor areas spanning above 3000 sq. ft.

http://www.nepalitimes.com/imgbank/article/2011/nt5095.jpg
Nepali Times (http://nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18544#.UX1NEtdLv00)

Soaltee City of Platinum Developers (http://www.ktm2day.com/2010/10/09/soaltee-city-brings-cheaper-apartments/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/soalteecitynp.jpg

Mero City apartments of Royal Orchid Developers (http://www.ktm2day.com/2010/06/16/construction-of-mero-city-apartments-begins/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/mercity.jpg

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/merocity.jpg
ktm2day (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/5/)

Guna Colony (http://www.ktm2day.com/2010/10/31/guna-developers-brings-promotional-schemes/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/gunaprtmnt.jpg

Westar Residency, Balkumari, Kathmandu (http://www.ktm2day.com/2010/07/19/westar-brings-win-an-apartment-offer/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/westarpromo.jpg

Sun City, ShangriLa Housing, Gothatar, Kathmandu (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/suncity.jpg

Sunrise Apartments,Kathmandu (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sunrise.jpg

Sterling, Mercury Apartments, PATAN (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sterling.jpg

Platinum Magna Luxury Apartments (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/2/)

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/platinum-magna.jpg

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/platinum2.jpg

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/platinum-BEV.jpg

Civil Homes- Luxury Residences (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/3/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/civil-homes-luxury-apartmts.jpg

Grande Towers, Dhapasi (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/3/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/grande-towers-dhapasee.jpg

Robeus Zeestar Tower,Bhainsepati (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/4/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/cheapaprt.jpg

Female Construction Workers walk past a multi-storey apartment site in Tokha Kathmandu (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/4/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/construction-workers-nepal.jpg

AMBE Apartments,Mitrapark,Chabahil (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/4/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/AMBE.jpg

Eastern Apartments, Kausaltar - Oriental Builders , AAYUSHA DEVELOPERS (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/5/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/Eastern-Apartments.jpg

United Avenue, Sanepa, Lalitpur (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/5/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/united-avenue-sanepa.jpg

United Society, Sano Bharyang (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/5/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/united-society.jpg

KL Residency,Dugar Group,Sanogaucharan,Kathmandu (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/5/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/kl-residency.jpg

Sunshine Apartments,Super Builders, Sukedhara (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/03/08/kathmandus-vertical-limit/5/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sunshine-apt.jpg

CITYCENTRE shopping mall, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu, NEPAL (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/06/17/city-centre/)
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BHTVomwvufQ/S2s0C33mSrI/AAAAAAAAAKo/8cDFRvhTinA/s800/city-centre-nepal.jpg

^^
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BHTVomwvufQ/S2s0DAh8phI/AAAAAAAAAKs/kISIcQ45GxY/s800/city-centre-nepal-int.jpg
ktm2day (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/06/17/city-centre/)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BHTVomwvufQ/S2s0DLXSB6I/AAAAAAAAAKw/NFtEx8_oalA/s800/citycentre-second-floor.jpg
ktm2day (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/06/17/city-centre/)

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/tkp/news/2010/gallery_09_30/CITY-CENTER_20101001090855.jpg
ekantipur (http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/09/30/money/where-shoppers-go-shop-shop/213375/)

Civil Trade Center (CTC), a shopping mall (http://www.ktm2day.com/2013/01/15/civil-trade-center-opens-door-to-public/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/civil-trade-centre-nepal.jpg

Civil Homes (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/12/13/civil-homes-city-within-the-city/)

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/civil-homes-pha4.jpg
ktm2day (http://www.ktm2day.com/2009/12/13/civil-homes-city-within-the-city/)

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/civil-homes-sv.jpg

4 Star Grand Hotel Kathmandu Casino (http://www.traveldealsfinder.com/grand-hotel-kathmandu-casino-package.html)
http://www.traveldealsfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Grand-Hotel-Kathmandu-283x300.jpg

KL Tower shopping mall (http://www.ktm2day.com/2012/10/17/kl-tower-shopping-mall-opens/)
http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/kltowernepal.jpg

Hyatt Regency Kathmand (http://www.himalayasguide.com/hotel-hyatt.php)
http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&docid=PqCZK-QFrxLtnM&tbnid=ClYFiXyxcUUDKM:&ved=0CAUQjBwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.himalayasguide.com%2Fimages%2Fhotel-hyatt%2Fhyatt-building.jpg&ei=MF59UYjDD8HPrQe2yYDgAQ&psig=AFQjCNF0vbNAJ1T61mB3jgwvCZhwNFMERA&ust=1367257008315614

http://www.himalayasguide.com/images/hotel-hyatt/hyatt-regency.jpg

Binod Chaudhary enlisted in Forbes\' global billionaires list
Monday, 04 March 2013 12:30:23
2 3 0 0 0

KATHMANDU, March 4:Latest news from agencies that Nepals Industralist Binod Chaudhary has become the first Nepali to be enrolled in Forbes’ global billionaires list, with net worth said to be at US$1 billion.Fifty-seven-year-old Chaudhary, who skipped college to join family business at the age of 18, is listed as 1,342nd richest person in the world and has been termed as the richest person in Nepal by Forbes, an American business magazine which publishes billionaires’ list every year.
Chaudhary shares his global billionaire ranking with 84 other individuals who have also been ranked 1,342nd richest people on the Earth.“Chaudhary is Nepal´s first billionaire but built most of his fortune overseas,” the Forbes said on its website. “His Cinnovation/Chaudhary Group, owns among much else, popular instant noodle brand Wai Wai, a controlling stake in Nepal´s Nabil Bank and a string of luxury hotels with India´s Taj hotel chain.”


Link:
http://nepalpukar.com/en/index.php?option=newsDetail&newsId=908&catId=2

Nepal's second city to get new Int'l airport


Work on Pokhara regional int'l airport to resume
REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, Feb 17: After being stalled for more than seven months, the process of constructing the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) is set to resume after the government decided to give the go-ahead to China CAMC, the lowest bidder for the project.

The construction process for PRIA had failed to take on momentum when the lowest cost quoted by the bidder turned out to be double the cost estimated earlier.

About a month ago, China CAMC had expressed interest in working under the earlier estimation.

Suman Shrestha, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), said they had asked the ministry to forward the proposal after the lowest bidder expressed interest in working under the earlier estimation.
“As it was not under our authority to response to the bidder´s request, we had sought the help of the ministry to send the proposal to the cabinet,” he added.

The cabinet meeting on Thursday had decided to approve the proposal of the ministry, which had requested approval of China CAMC´s request.

Ranjan Krishna Aryal, joint-secretary at the Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), said as legal provisions did not allow the ministry or CAAN to either approve or reject the proposal, they had sought a way out through the cabinet. “As the project is associated with a soft loan we approached the cabinet after consulting the Ministry of Finance,” he said.

According to CAAN officials, the civil aviation authority had estimated the PRIA project to cost US$ 175 million, but the lowest price quoted by China CAMC is US $305.13 million. The government plans to construct the airport under an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) model, using a soft loan from EXIM Bank of China.

The overall process of selecting the contractor had drawn controversy after CAAN published the tender notice with a short deadline of 45 days. Lawmakers on the then Public Accounts Committee had also raised questions over the fairness of the bidding process after they found that Finance Minister Barshaman Pun had signed an agreement with China CAMC Engineering, assuring it of the contract.

The government had acquired 3,106 ropani of land at Chhinedanda in 1975 for the construction of the airport.

Meanwhile, locals of Pokhara who have been staging protests against the delay over PRIA, have welcomed the decision of the cabinet. A press statement of the Pashchimanchal Hotel Association Pokhara (PHAP) stated that construction of the airport was certain to boost tourism in Pokhara and the surrounding region.Link:http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=50099

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/tkp/news/2012/gallery_05_04/pokhara-intl_20120505082521.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/377781_519470741412402_5093796_n.jpg

http://ghalegroup.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pokhara-airport2.jpg

This could be a pipe dream only but I hope this will really happen.Well anyway I will try to keep up with the latest news.

Link:http://www.tunnelsonline.info/news/nepal-government-to-expedite-study-for-metro-railway-project-080213
Nepal government to expedite study for metro railway project
8 February 2013

Print Email
The Nepali government is set to take crucial decisions on expediting key infrastructure projects, including conducting a feasibility study for a Kathmandu metro railway.
The secretariat of the Nepal Investment Board (NIB) is submitting proposals on these projects during a meeting of its board of directors (BoD) scheduled for next week.
"The meeting will also discuss and probably take a decision to take the Kathmandu Metro Railway project forward," a source close to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) said in Kathmandu on 6 February.
According to the source, the meeting will give a nod to the secretariat to ask Nepal Metro Private Limited (NMPL) to develop a detailed proposal for a feasibility study on the project.
NMPL, a company that claims to have lined up international financing for a Kathmandu Metro Railway, had offered to develop the project in August 2012.
NIB--which was established more than a year ago to expedite the implementation of mega-projects in a fast-track mode--is developing a PDA (Project Development Agreement) template with the help of Herbert Smith, a legal advisor based in London.

Dr.Binod Amatya's video on you tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXlBFhT9LsY

Tentative map of the rail lines:
http://ramkshrestha.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/metrokathmandu.jpg

Couple of renderings:

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/tkp/news/2011/gallery_03_27/kathmandu-metro_20100819084_20110328091916.jpg

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/nepalmetrorail.jpg

Link:http://ghalegroup.com/blog/2013/03/19/locals-refuse-land-for-hub-airport-in-pokhara/

Locals refuse land for hub airport in Pokhara
Posted on March 19, 2013 by Ghale Treks

pokhara the City of lakes
At a time when the government is making preparations to acquire additional land for the proposed Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA), locals in Pokhara have refused to provide the land required for the construction.

Stating that the government failed to address the demands they put forward earlier regarding the construction, the locals said they will not provide any land to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The announcement came in the wake of the government´s recent move to acquire additional land for the PRIA construction.

A few days ago, CAA had issued a notice on the acquisition of 550 ropani in wards 14, 15 and 18 of Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City. CAA had even conducted a scrutiny of the areas involved.

In 1975, the government had acquired 3,106 ropani from 1,500 households for constructing another international airport in Pokhara.

But when that land became insufficient for the PRIA construction, the government decided to acquire more land.

The locals, whose lands were acquired by the government in the first phase of acquisition, said the government is trying once again to displace them. They further said they are opposed to CAA preparations for acquiring additional land as their demands are yet to be addressed.

“We have always been treated unjustly by the government,” said Bala Ram Kuwar, chairman of Pokhara Regional International Airport Construction Concerned Committee, “As there is no suitable place in Pokhara, unlike in the past, to shift to after being displaced, we will not provide our land to the government.”

He also said the locals will not provide their land unless their demands for physical infrastructure like roads, bridges, schools and water sourcing are addressed.

“The government had announced the construction of an international airport but preparations are going on for a regional international airport. The government has always disappointed us,” added Kuwar.

Likewise, Bodhraj Karki, secretary of the struggle committee, said that CAA has decided to acquire land without the consent of locals.

Meanwhile, officials at CAA said the additional land was required for building infrastructure such as taxi-way, terminal building and parking area.

An official at CAA, seeking anonymity, said, “The locals´ refusal is not genuine. The government will provide compensation for the acquired land.”
“CAA had issued the notice and the land scrutiny initiated following local consent,” he said, adding, CAA will soon submit a report to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

According to him, the locals are posing hurdles to get more compensation for the land than unexpected.

Source: http://myrepublica.com

http://ghalegroup.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/15176.jpg

Link:http://www.dor.gov.np/kvrip.php
Kathmandu is going through some transformation in terms of transportation. There has been a massive work in widening the roads in the capital city.

Road Projects

Kathmandu Valley Road Improvement Project

Name of the Project:
Kathmandu Valley Road Improvement Project

Background:
The important strategic road networks (SRN) in Kathmandu valley has been frequently suffering from traffic congesting problem. The rapidly growing traffic volume is ultimately beyond the capacity of the two lane roads in Kathmandu valley. Government of Nepal has been allotting a fund in budget head number 48-3/4-503 to widen such an important SRN from two lane to four or more lane in Kathmandu valley. The project "Kathmandu Valley Road Improvement Project (KVRIP)" has started in September 2007 to work extensively in these SRN.

Soalteemod – Kalanki – Nagdhunga Section:
Soalteemod – Kalanki – Nagdhunga Section is one of the important SRN among them in Kathmandu Valley. The project started with the handed over running contracts (Contract No. 93-063/64, 94-063/64, 95-063/64, 96-063/64) from Division Road Office, Kathmandu to widen Soalteemod – Kalanki Section and Kalanki Intersection. Soalteemod – Kalanki – Nagdhunga Section of Tibhuvan Rajpath is the main gateway to enter into the Kathmandu Valley. The traffic congestion problem has been frequently arose in this section because of the traffic volume in this section is greater than the capacity of the road section. The project is running with the objectives of widening of black top road from double lane to four lanes in Kalanki – Nagdhunga Section and three lanes to seven lanes in Ring Road Section.

Financial Arrangement:
Government of Nepal.

Description of Road Components:
Carriageway: Four lane black top road. (3.5 m x 4)
Median: 2.0 m wide median
Footpath: 2.5 m footpath
Drainage: Both side pipe drainage


Estimated Costs: 67, 50, 00 thousand

Estimated Project Completion Date: 2068/69

Current Status of Road:

S.N Road Section Length
(Km) Black Top Width (m)
Remarks
Previous Now
1 Soalteemod – Kalanki 1.25 7.00 16.00 Completed
2 Kalanki – Sitapaila 0.62 10.00 25.75 90% Completed
3 Kalanki – Balkhu 0.42 10.00 25.75 85% Completed
4 Kalanki – Nagdhunga
(Total length 9.11 km) 0.40 6.50 22.00 0+000 to 0+400 m from Kalanki Chowk.
0.54 7.00 16.00 70% Completed


Plan of Kalanki Intersection

http://www.dor.gov.np/Images/subgrade.JPG

FROM THE NEPALI PRESS
Changing Kathmandu, Nagarik
30 December

FROM ISSUE #586 (06 JAN 2012 - 12 JAN 2012) | TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBSCRIBE NT PRINT REFER WRITE TO EDITOR


Bhaikaji Tiwari had never expected the road expansion campaign would succeed. As the chief of the Kathmandu Valley Urban Development Planning Implementation Committee, for years he did not have power to move ahead with the plan until PM Baburam Bhattarai came to his support. "Kathmandu will be different now and there is no stopping it," says Tiwari. The government proposed road expansion 35 years ago but never went ahead with the plan. "After all these years it has gained momentum and will continue until it is completed," he says. Officials say roads have often been encroached by those with political connections, which is why the road expansion plan never took off. For the first time in many years, Traffic, Urban Development, Municipality and Road Department are working in close coordination.

Dambar Krishna Shrestha in Himal Khabarpatrika, 14 January


MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA
The ongoing road expansion is a welcome move to ease the chaotic traffic of Kathmandu but the way it's being enforced has created fear. As houses were bulldozed without prior notice, locals came out in protest .The government has asked the protestors to contact the concerned authority to claim compensation with evidence. The demolitions are being carried out as per the Urban Development Implementation Act 1977, but many claim their houses have been constructed as per the norms of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC). A probe commission has been formed after the owners came out in protest. Bhaikaji Tiwari of DUDBC admits only two per cent of buildings have not followed the prescribed norms. The government, which is supposed to move the peace process has made road expansion its priority. Former Minister for Physical Planning and Works, Hisila Yami, is actively involved in the road expansion campaign. Despite holding no active portfolio in the cabinet, she presides over meetings and gives instructions.



Comments Show Oldest First | Show Newest First
1. Kanchhakaji.
"Hisila Yami ,is actively invovled in the road expansion."
The First and Foremost Lady 0f the New Republic must be congratulated,.
She is like our Lady Bird ...beautifying Kathmandu.She deserves a place in the Sahid Gate at the top replacing Trivuban .
Beause she once studied Architecture.
Long live the High- way- woman ( not highwayman)of the New Republic .

Posted on: 08 JAN 2012 | 5:18 AM NST

2. Arun
This is a complete farce.

"The government proposed road expansion 35 years ago but never went ahead with the plan." The country's population, especially the capital has greatly increased since then. As the article mentions the current governments plans are based 35 years ago which didn't transpire. Alot of homes have been legally built since that time, with local planning and government approval. As the article mentions, "Bhaikaji Tiwari of DUDBC admits only two per cent of buildings have not followed the prescribed norms." If this is the case then it would be illegal to demolish or occupy peoples property and acquire their land without their consent.

If the government are so kean and eager to widen roads in the centre of the capital, then it should appropriately compensate the people who are about to lose their property and homes. In modern civil democratic nations, the amount in compensation for loss of property is almost 1.5 times of its present current market price due to emotional and financial losses which would be incurred.

Alot of these buildings have historic signifinace, unique style of architure and has been homes to generations of families since the so called plan in 1977. Most governments in the world would most probably try to preserve it's historical buildings rather than knocking them down. A more wiser solution would be to develop the city around the ring road to decongest the centre and create a one way route driving system.

If the government wishes to continue this demolishment without the legal owners consent then it should be prepared for heavy losses financially in regard to legal procedings for compensation. A warning to the government it may seem a cheap way to get votes at the moment but in the long term, which you seem so conveniently blind to recognise, the financial repercussions through legal procedings and compensation would only have the peoples wrath directed towards your actions.

Finally .. If you plan to bulldoze homes for your road widening project then compensate those legal owners with more than adequate level of compensation or face the consequences. No one likes bullies at the end of the day.





Posted on: 10 JAN 2012 | 3:00 AM NST

3. JPT
Like it or not, bullies are here to stay in Nepal. That's the only thing that works. I am glad BRB is governing with a hammerfist or else it would have never become successful. Compensations will follow. But it would have never succeeded if they had waited for public consent. Good thing, politics did not have any chance to interfere.
Posted on: 11 JAN 2012 | 8:26 AM NST

4. Arun
Last comment is a classic example why some parts of Nepali society still remains uncivilised and not democratic. If so called educated Nepalis like this person in comment #3, have the belief that the force of might is greater than that of a citizens basic right to contest a decision legally about stopping the destruction of their homes without warning, a compensation plan, their views and consent sought.

Posted on: 12 JAN 2012 | 10:08 PM NST

5. kathmandu
Very agreed Arun.the last comment number 3 needs some socially responsible thought to be injected..... I only wonder the so called maoists are luring the Kathmandu people of the road expansion at the huge social and economic costs which can be used to build the infrastructure where needed.Why the hell they are interested in kathmandu alone? they could have invested in big sajha buses like in 1970s than those small tempos running all zigzag in the street...it is a scam....corruption............in the name of road expansion......when the country is already in a dire state....what about rural developement? if rural areas are developed , kathmandu will be less crowded..or make gorkha the capital of nepal......Leave my kathmandu as the world heritage......what has these people ever built except demolition........sad sad sad....

Posted on: 13 JAN 2012 | 2:01 PM NST

6. nik
Infra structure badly needed in ktm.

This probably is the only way out.If it did not happen for 30 years, there is noway it would have happened without force.

Posted on: 29 JAN 2012 | 3:18 PM NST

Link:http://nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=18890

Article on this project by Amanda Snellinger
http://www.amandasnellinger.com/kathmandu-becoming-a-post-modern-city-road-expansion-project/

Kathmandu Becoming a (Post) Modern City: Road Expansion Project
2
25 April
CATEGORIES: AESTHETICS, ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, ECONOMY, GLOBAL ECONOMY, GLOBAL POLITICS, NATIONAL POLITICS, NEPAL, POLITICS, SOCIAL COMMENTARY, SOUTH ASIA

I’ve been in Kathmandu for a week. It’s changed quite a bit since I was last here in 2011. The most striking thing is the road expansion project. It’s a sorely needed infrastructure overhaul to deal with the rapid increase in private vehicle ownership. The project has had mixed results, creating the effect of a war zone in some places and wide dusty boulevards in others.


The road expansion project makes some places in Kathmandu look like a war zone
This project has been ongoing since November 2011. It was instituted by the Maoist prime minister Baburam Bhattarai and it’s been plugging along since his resignation. (The Kathmandu Valley Town Development Implementation Authority has been able to eschew the mounting opposition due in part to continued support from the Chairman of the Interim Election Government, Khil Raj Regmi). This project was originally proposed in 1977 but there was never enough political will to follow it through, especially since many would lose private property as a result. It was a forward thinking project for the time, however, it hit the typical road block in Nepal: elite stakeholders’ interests. The current project is based on the 1977 blueprint. One has to wonder if the road system had been expanded when initially proposed, if the traffic would have been better or worse over the years. Like many urban areas throughout the world, Kathmandu’s roadways seem to fill no matter what space is allotted.

The Maoists’ efforts to execute this project are indeed impressive. To institute such a large scale project with such little political will is very difficult in any democracy. Many people here conclude that Kathmandu’s road expansion was simply a way for the Maoist majority government to make their mark, reshaping the landscape to make Kathmandu a Maoist “people’s” city for “new Nepal.” (The post-peace talk period of constitution drafting and state-restructuring was said to be ushering in “new Nepal,” which has been stalled in political deadlock for the last year since the constituent assembly was dismissed.) The bulldozers have even been coined the “people’s bulldozers” that are giving “road to the vehicles and pavement to the pedestrians.” Kathmandu Post recently reported that the project is half done, with 105 of the proposed 200 kilometers of road expanded and blacktopping slated to begin. In the coming months the Ring Road expansion will begin (the road circumambulating the cities of Kathmandu and Patan, the two densest cities in the Kathmandu valley). The whole thing will happen in three phases thanks to Chinese assistance of 200 RMB annually. It probably comes as no surprise that a Shanghai construction company was awarded the contract. This is a typical Chinese approach to foreign aid, they subsidize portions of development projects in impoverished nations, which eases their way into extracting resources in those countries, spreads their diplomatic influence, and provides jobs to Chinese nationals and contracts to Chinese industries. I must emphasize the irony of the Chinese involvement. They repudiated the Nepali Maoists during their People’s War, and now they are subsidizing their destruction of traditional neighborhoods and cultural artifacts in order to usher in a new era that enables capitalist modernity and its urbanizing downfalls.

The reality of road expansion may not be obvious to someone who has never been to Kathmandu. It means literally shaving off the fronts of buildings to make room for the road (Here’s some youtube footage). No structures were spared, it did not matter if the building had been expanded illegally without a permit or if the road path was owned by the building owner. Many people are complaining about the lack of government compensation, including foreign embassies like the U.S. Embassy that demanded $5 million in compensation for their front wall. The government has been cagey regarding if and to whom they will give compensation. Those who can afford it have rebuilt, although many have done so quickly and cheaply. Many other structures remain in the rubbled state they were left. Both results have increased the shoddy structures in Kathmandu, which is a major concern considering the valley has been overdue for a major earthquake.




Front of a building that has been shaved off to expand the road
Two years of construction dust, the demolition of roads and buildings, additional seismic instability, and the felling of trees have really changed this city I’ve come to know so well. The visual is quite striking but the dismal air quality is the most heart wrenching. Even Nepal’s amazing peepal trees (Ficus religiosa) have fallen victim to this project. I remember being told the first time I visited a village in Nepal that the male and female peepal trees represent Vishnu and Lakshmi. These trees often have a brick platform around their base for people to gather and take refuge from the sun. And of course they help clean the air. In 2007-2008 and even in 2011, I used to take morning runs past the Ring Road behind the airport and then up the stairs of Pashupati temple complex. I’ve done it once so far, and I felt like my lungs were being smothered by the dust. On a clear day one used to get a peek of the Himals, now it would not even occur to me to look.

I must acknowledge a positive benefit. It has become easier to traverse the completed areas on foot since there are now discreet sidewalks. This makes Kathmandu a little less harrowing for pedestrians in some senses, as long as they wear masks as they go on their way. Perhaps this will be the case everywhere once the project is completed. In the meantime many neighborhoods have become more treacherous as the people navigate the construction zones of ditches, construction materials, and rubble along the roadway as the cars and motorbikes speed by.

How do people live this way? Of course they get on but at a cost. There have been two opinion pieces in english dailies regarding the lack of green space in Kathmandu since I’ve arrived. Vikash Raj Satyal notes that the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has 2 sq km of public green space for a population of 1 million. And Jaganath Adhikari reports that a quarter of the population over 18 has high blood pressure, an epidemic which is concentrated in Nepal’s urban areas. Money from the remittance economy, donor development, and lack of forward thinking policies from the government are changing Kathmandu valley as its population continues to boom (seventeen percent of Nepal’s population lives in Kathmandu), however, many rightly worry if it is for the best.

Of course I don’t have the answers. I’m just trying to highlight pros and cons of the road expansion. I’d like to push people to discuss what type of city they want to make and live in. What is best for ALL the residence of Kathmandu? Is infrastructure for private vehicle transportation more beneficial than more green public transportation, foot paths and bike lanes? I want to raise the point that increasing roadways at the expense of green space and alternative transportation forms is untenable for everyone’s lungs AND it marginalizes the lower middle and working classes who are the backbone of the valley. Of course these sorts of debates are not unique to Kathmandu. We went through a similar debate in Seattle a few years back when the viaduct, the raised roadway that bypasses downtown with amazing views of the Puget sound, was to be torn down due to seismic instability. Some wanted to build a tunnel and others wanted to explore alternatives that would discourage vehicle traffic. The current Mayor was a proponent of not replacing the viaduct, but rather building more public transportation and bike paths in order to force people to use alternative transportation. The tunnel has won out. But luckily Seattle is still expanding its light rail system and bike paths, and there will be public green space along the water front replacing a portion of the viaduct. In this regard, Seattle residents are very fortunate; we live in the “emerald city” that is not nearly as vulnerable to the rapid urbanization problems experienced in the global south.

I’d like to end on a more upbeat note. One thing I’m always impressed with is the creative improvisation I encounter in this country. These stairs up to the mobile shop where I bought my sim card are a great example of what I mean. In a place as litigious as the U.S. these stairs would be immediately deemed a public safety risk and this shop would be shut down. But here in Nepal, no such regulations or oversight exist. Plus people need to get on despite the tumult around them, so they work with what they have to continue on in the ways they can. It means that we all need to be steady on our feet because no state will come to our assistance when we fall. Luckily, the shop attendant assured me the stairs were well bolted and a young boy gave me a hand up.


Improvised staircase up to shop in response to the road expansion project
← Anarchy in the Nepali Student Unions: Some Sociohistorical Context
Share this Post: Twitter Facebook Technorati Reddit Delicious
AUTHOR:
About Amanda Snellinger

View Website View other posts
2 Responses to “Kathmandu Becoming a (Post) Modern City: Road Expansion Project”

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TtJZ-ATGMao/T4B7NuFajUI/AAAAAAAABCU/DlwULBYc4g0/s1600/kathmandu.jpg

http://202.166.193.40/uploads/ekantipur/photos/Daily%20Photos/2011-11-06/image684386178.jpg

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/ekantipur/news/2012/gallery_03_10/road-expansion_20120112084712_20120310105345.jpg

Posted On: 2013-01-23

Road expansion: 90km widened; tarring from mid-February





In the ongoing road expansion drive in the Capital, the first phase has seen the demolition of encroaching structures on nearly 100 kilometres. Authorities have begun the second phase of works, aimed at widening an additional 45 km.

According to Kathmandu Valley Town Development Implementation Committee (KVTDIC) chief Bhaikaji Tiwari, 90 percent work on the

hundred kilometres has been over. “We are now working on the remaining 10 km of our first expansion assignment and have also included other roads where we are regularly demolishing illegal structures,” said Tiwari.

Recently, the Kathmandu Valley Town Development Authority (KVTDA) received a partial budget of Rs 49 million, out of which the KVTDIC got Rs 11 million. “Our work was sluggish for a few months. But now that we received the budget, we are working at a rapid pace,” said Tiwari.

The KVTDIC has also been marking areas and structures on the newly assigned 45 km according to their work plan.

Meanwhile, the ongoing winter season is posing hindrances to the blacktopping of roads, to be carried out by the Department of Roads (DoR). While around 9 km was blacktopped before winter, the remaining 16 kilometres await tarring and reconstruction. “We are currently engaged in footpath construction since it is impossible to blacktop roads at the current temperatures,” said Gopal Khadka of the Kathmandu Road Division at the DoR. “Blacktopping at surface temperatures below 14 degrees Celsius will not be durable.”

The Kathmandu Road Division has been assigned 18 roads, out of which only the Maitidevi-Setopul stretch and smaller strips in Chabahil and the Balaju bypass have been blacktopped. Other roads currently under construction include the Bhagwatibahal-Siphal and the Teku-Chhauni strips.

However, Khadka is confident about the construction and blacktopping of the 25 kilometres assigned to the Kathmandu Road Division by this fiscal year. “Once the ground temperature rises, blacktopping will not be a problem. We will resume tarring from mid-February and complete it as soon as possible,” said Khadka.

Other roads, including the Thapathali-Kalanki and the Putalisadak-Sinamangal stretches, are also in the pipeline for expansion and reconstruction.

source: The Kathmandu Post,23 Jan 2013
Link:http://www.housingnepal.com/news/national/road-expansion-90km-widened-tarring-from-mid-february

http://www.gulf-times.com/NewsImages//2013/3/9/1d25b49c-69f2-4082-9661-04e888a39f7f.jpg

KATHMANDU, FEB 16 - Spurred on by the road expansion campaign’s success in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, the government has started expanding roads in neighbouring Bhaktapur district.
As a part of the road expansion drive, the road sections between SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Sanothimi and the Bode area were demolished on Saturday. The walls enclosing the offices belonging to the Ministry of Education were also demolished the same day.
The Bhaktapur chapter of the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA), with the participation of local people, launched the drive after the concerned authorities failed to comply with the government’s public notice announcing the start of the campaign, said Basant Rai, commissioner of KVDA Bhaktapur. The walls of various government offices such as Curriculum Development Centre and Higher Secondary Education Board were destroyed to meet the required criteria of widening the road up to 11 meters.
According to Rai, the widening campaign started from Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and will continue to bulldoze illegal houses and infrastructure in the coming days.

Posted on: 2013-02-17 08:51
Link:http://www.kantipuronline.com/the-kathmandu-post/2013/02/16/metro/road-widening-drive-reaches-bhaktapur/245377.html

KATHMANDU: The Government has warned of taking action against the construction companies and officials that delay the road expansion process in the capital.

A team of secretaries of different ministries and senior government officials led by coordinator of the Kathmandu Road Extension High Level Supervision Committee, Krishna Hari Banskota, inspected the road in the capital and gave such a warning.

During the inspection, Coordinator Banskota said the government would take action against the construction companies and the officials that delay the road extension process while it would manage award for exemplary works.

The committee said that the construction companies should have to complete the construction and extension of the road in the slated time, adding that it would not extend the term for the road expansion on any pretexts.

Banskota added that the government would scrap the contract signed with the construction companies and conclude the road expansion drive by keeping such companies that failed to conclude their task in time.

Secretary Banskota directed the construction companies to remove the debris that accumulated during the road extension process within three days.

He said there will be no compromise on the quality of the road in any excuse and urged the general public to support on the development works.

The supervision team inspected the roads under construction in various parts of Kathmandu valley today.

The team urged one and all to support for making Kalanki-Koteshwor (10-lane road) under Chinese assistance.
Link:http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Govt+warns+of+action+against+those+who+disrupt+road+extension+&NewsID=373125

Chairman of the interim election council Khil Raj Regmi on Monday instructed the concerned government officials to speed up the road expansion drive in Kathmandu Valley.

Regmi received briefing from Physical Planning, Transportation and Urban Development Minister Chhabiraj Panta, Planning Planning Ministry secretary Tulsi Prasad Sitauala and Urban Development Ministry secretary Kishor Thapa on the progress of the road expansion project.

Regmi expressed concern over the sluggish pace of work and asked the officials to complete the works before the start of monsoon.

Most of the expanded stretches in Kathmandu are yet to blacktopped while the expansion works has stopped halfway in some areas. The road expansion started during the tenure of erstwhile Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai amid controversy.

The road expansion one of the biggest thing to happen to Kathmandu's physical infrastructure over the last few years. Nepalnews.com
Link:http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2013/apr/apr15/news06.php

KATHMANDU, JAN 28 -

With the acceleration of the road expansion drive in the Capital, around a hundred kilometres of widened roads have meant congestion-free rides for vehicles. However, despite the now wide roads, traffic often comes to a bottleneck when faced with bridges that have yet to be expanded in line with the new roads.

Officials at the Department of Roads (DoR) claimed that they hadn’t been assigned to expand any bridge yet on their prospective reconstruction of nearly 25km of roads. “Most of the bridges on our assignment do not need to be expanded,” said Gopal Khadka of the Kathmandu Road Division at the DoR. However, he said that if the need arises, the bridges would be expanded accordingly.

Kathmandu Valley Road Improvement Project (KVRIP), however, has been assigned to expand two major bridges—the Bagmati Bridge and the Dhobikhola Bridge connecting Maitighar to Koteshwor. According to Narayan Neure, engineer at the KVRIP, they are on the verge of surveying these bridges. “We have recently acquired survey request proposals from various firms. Once the survey is assigned and the report is received, we will tender the bridge extension,” said Neure. KVRIP plans to extend these bridges on both sides to parallel the expanded roads and also add a cycle lane and footpath. Neure confirmed that the reconstruction of these bridges would begin within this fiscal year.

Experts, meanwhile, have claimed that expanding bridges is a sensitive task as their foundations need to be made stronger before expansion. Most of the bridges in the Kathmandu Valley have a hundred-year lifespan, after which they need to be destroyed and rebuilt. However, Khadka disputed this claim, saying, “Even if we expand bridges in the Valley, we can just extend them without collapsing them. A few of the bridges that might be assigned to the DoR includes Seto Pul, Rato Pul and Bhatkeko Pul, although their expansion isn’t urgent, claimed Khadka.

Kathmandu Valley Town Development Implementation Committee (KVTDIC) chief Bhaikaji Tiwari lamented that concerned authorities are undermining the bridge expansion. “We have put in a lot of work bringing the expansion drive to this level. Most of the main roads have been expanded while bridges are awaiting extension,” said Tiwari.

Refuting the DoR’s claims, Tiwari said that all bridges connecting main roads need prompt expansion. “If not expanded quickly, these bridges will cause congestion again and prove the expansion drive worthless,”

said Tiwari.

Posted on: 2013-01-28 08:44
Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/01/28/capital/after-roads-bridges-await-expansion/366197.html

Nepal Airlines Signs MOU for Two Airbus Aircraft (http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news13/15-NepalAirlines.shtml)

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to buy two Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices.


NAC was incorporated on 1 July 1958 through the enactment of the Nepal Airlines Corporation Act. 1962. The airline currently flies to four international destinations and 25 domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas.

IT super highway Nepal (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54009)

KATHMANDU, April 30: The first Tech Mashup, a speed networking event for IT enthusiasts, held on April 28 at Babar Mahal Revisited in Kathmandu, introduced 15 start-up ventures and developer communities to a crowd of about 300 youngsters.

Companies like Grepsr.com, f1 soft and Cloud Factory showed that building successful IT based businesses is indeed possible in Nepal, and communities like Google Developers, WikiMedia, and the Open Source developers attracted bulks of potential supporters to their stalls, as did Karkhana with their prototype robots.

WB assistance in agriculture, climate change projects (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=53979)

KATHMANDU, April 30: The government and World Bank on Tuesday signed an agreement for total assistance of US$ 77.6 million to implement two projects -- Nepal Agriculture and Food Security Project (NAFSP) and Building Resilience to Climate-Related Hazards (BRCH).


Similarly, remaining $31 million goes to BRCH project that aims to transition Nepal´s hydro-meteorological services into a modern service-oriented system that will build resilience today as well as adaptive capacity for the future. "It intends to enhance government capacity to mitigate climate related hazards by improving the accuracy and timeliness of weather and flood forecasts for disaster preparedness by the general population and warnings for climate-vulnerable communities," said the release.

FM asks IFC to increase investment in hydro (http://www.hydroworld.com/news/2013/04/30/fm-asks-ifc-to-increase-investment-in-hydro.html)

Nepal is currently reeling under scheduled load-shedding of around 10 hours a day that has made cost of production more expensive making Nepali products uncompetitive in domestic as well as international markets.

The power shortage - apart from labour troubles - has become a chronic problem hitting manufacturing sector hard as the sector's contribution to the economy has seen continuous drop in recent years. "In the current fiscal year 2012-13, Central Bureau of Statistics has projected the manufacturing sectors' contribution to the gross domestic production (GDP) to drop to 6.17 per cent, whereas the sector had contributed some 8.50 to the GDp in the fiscal year 2001-02.


National Hydro Power increases 1.5%, 4 days' volume in a day (http://www.hydroworld.com/news/2013/04/30/national-hydro-power-increases-1-5-4-days-volume-in-a-day.html)

Real estate expo aims to revitalise housing sector (http://ekantipur.com/2013/05/01/business/real-estate-expo-aims-to-revitalise-housing-sector/370911.html)

“The real estate sector has been struggling for the past four years. It is high time that we did something to make it vibrant,” said coordinator of the expo Om Rajbhandary. “This expo will work to revive confidence among property buyers.” Rajbhandary added that the real estate sector was a big contributor to the domestic job market, and by boosting it the country can achieve healthy development of the national economy itself.

India: MEA cautions IOC on Nepal project (http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/mea-cautions-ioc-on-nepal-project/article4673990.ece)

In a strong letter to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said it does not envisage funding, ‘either as grant or credit’, the India-Nepal Raxaul-Amlekhganj oil pipeline project.


The MEA noted that the project involved considerable land acquisition’ on both sides. Its implementation was also likely to elicit a ‘strong reaction from the powerful transporters’ lobby in Nepal’.

It added, “Given the complex political reality in Nepal, it would be advisable for IOC to handle the pipeline issue with utmost caution and avoid making any commitments for its execution unless there is absolute clarity on land availability on both sides, and a mutually accepted framework for security, construction, operation and management issues has been evolved.” It also said that the Nepali side must have a ‘strong financial stake’ in order to ensure their commitment to the project. An official source said that the ministry was not vetoing the project, but wanted more clarity. “It is all vague right now. What we are asking is that the Nepali side must think through the project, what it involves, and how will they manage the obstacles. This can then be taken forward.”

Indo-Canadian investors to explore investment (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54138)

The delegation will visit Nepal from May 5 and 8.

Mirajkar further informed that the team comprises of representatives from firms like Arcop Associates, Bombardier, IRD Inc, Lea Associates, Manitoba Hydro International, Premiertech Aqua and Ballard Power Systems, and Indo-Canadian Business Chamber.

The Indo-Canadian business delegation will explore investment avenues in sectors like urban development, roads, hydroelectric power and waste management.

“The delegation will explore commercial opportunities in the different potential sectors," Mirajkar said. "It will also try to gain a deeper understanding of the priorities, challenges and achievements of the current government in Nepal."

Additionally, the team will also have in-depth discussion with the officials from FNCCI about the potential projects to invest.

Reidbar for safer construction (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Reidbar+for+safer+construction&NewsID=375069)

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Steel Pvt Ltd (KSPL) recently launched a new brand of steel bars — Reidbar — in the domestic market. According to the company, the bar will be produced in Nepal under technical know-how from Reid Technologies of New Zealand, while fittings will be imported from New Zealand. Derek Lawley, chief inter-national business development manager at Reid Construction System — a division of ITW New Zealand Ltd, states that it is the first time Reid technology is being introduced in South East Asia.

The company says that Reidbar is a micro-alloy, hot-rolled, continuously threaded reinforcing bar which can be cut at any length and joined using Reidbar threaded connectors. According to the company, Reidbar comes in different forms and sizes, presents design flexibility and simplified detailing. Lawley informs that it is an easier and safer way of joining reinforcing steel in construction work, which can be cut at any length, and then simply joined at any point end to end by a coupler.

Nepal may turn to China for satellite plan (http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/nepal-may-turn-to-china-for-satellite-plan/article4686835.ece)

As Nepal finally goes ahead with long-overdue plans to examine the feasibility of launching its first satellite before 2015, the country may turn to China, which has in recent years helped a number of developing countries, including some of India’s neighbours, with financial and technological assistance for their satellite programmes.

Officials in Kathmandu told China’s official Xinhua news agency on Sunday that Nepal was open to the idea of leasing its first satellite “to either China or India or both” for commercial purposes.

They were quoted as saying Nepal had recently formed a committee “to study the feasibility of launching its first satellite.” An orbital slot provided by the International Telecommunication Union to Nepal many years ago will expire in 2015, prompting Kathmandu to embark on the long-discussed project with new-found urgency.

Nepal to work with neighbours to conserve Himalayan ecology (http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/nepal-to-work-with-neighbours-to-conserve-himalayan-ecology_846803.html)

This initiative is a pioneer programme, supported UK and Germany. It will go a long way in forging transnational cooperation between India, China and Nepal, by proactively engaging them in ensuring the sustained management of ecosystem and protecting the welfare of millions of people living in the region, ICIMOD said today.

ADB ups annual assistance to Nepal (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54285)

KATHMANDU, May 6: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced to increase annual loan assistance to Nepal to US$ 300 million . The Manila-based multilateral donor was so far providing $250 million a year to Nepal.


At the occasion, the Nepali delegation sought ADB´s increased support in infrastructure development especially on road and hydropower sectors.

In the sideline of the meeting, Nepali officials also met top Indian officials and requested them to increase Indian investment in industrial sector.

Process of constructing dry port begins (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Process+of+constructing+dry+port+begins+&NewsID=375416)

NEPALGUNJ: The process of constructing an International Trade and Transit Centre (dry port) at Banke district's border with India has been initiated as per the agreement reached between Nepal and India.

KATHMANDU, JAN 14 -

The government has signed performance contracts with chiefs of nine national pride projects, including Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track Road, Mid Hills Highway and Railway Construction.

Tulasi Prasad Situala, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning, Works and Transport Management signed the contracts with project managers on Sunday as per the government policy to make national pride projects’ works result oriented. The contracts were signed as per the spirit of Immediate Governance and Economy Reform Action Plan 2012
Link:http://www.kantipuronline.com/2013/01/14/business/performance-contract-nine-more-natl-pride-projects-sign-deals/365599.html

KATHMANDU

Real estate transactions have picked up, albeit in slow pace, in the recent months, leading to increase in land registration fee collection.

According to the Finance Ministry, the land registration fee collection has increased by 16.16 percent to Rs 3.09 billion as of first 10 months of the current fiscal year compared to Rs 2.66 billion over the same period last fiscal year.

According to data provided by the Department of Land Reforms and Management (DoLRM), land registration fee collection has remained higher this year compared to last year

Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/05/20/business/realty-sector-gradually-emerging-out-of-trouble/354244.html

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/ekantipur/news/2012/gallery_05_20/housing-in-bal-kumari-area0_20120520093609.jpg

Sort of late news

KATHMANDU, SEP 07 - Loan exposure of commercial banks to real estate and housing rose in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year despite a liquidity crunch and Nepal Rastra Bank’s policy of discouraging lending to the sector.
Loan exposure increased to 21.36 percent from 21.27 percent from the previous quarter although banks had almost frozen lending due to the acute cash crunch in the second half of the last fiscal year. With credit halted, the total loans and advances of commercial banks had decreased to Rs. 462 billion in Q4 from Rs. 466 billion in Q3.
Lending to realty and housing amounted to Rs. 98.72 billion. In real terms, however, it is less than Q3 as the total loans and advances by banks also declined. Loans to the sector in Q3 stood at Rs. 99.28 billion.
The total real estate loans amounted to Rs. 63.261 billion while housing loans came to Rs. 35.42 billion. Compared to the third quarter, the total loans to real estate and housing decreased

Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/09/07/money/loan-exposure-to-realty-up-in-q4/212517/

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/tkp/news/2010/gallery_09_07/Dsc_1304_20100908090041.jpg

Govt to help create investment friendly climate (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Govt+to+help+create+investment+friendly+climate&NewsID=375693)

“Joint efforts of the government and private sector is crucial to an economic revolution,” he said, adding that the government on its part is ready to reform policies that have been raised at the Nepal Business Forum. “Better coordination between the public and private sector is crucial for doing business.”


NBF has become a good mechanism to minimise disputes between the public and private sector, and between private-private organisations which will ultimately help improve the business environment and industrialisation process, said president of Confederation of Nepalese Industries Narendra Basnyat.


Nepal likely to get enrolled in IMF-led financial assessment program (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54397)

Nepal invites UP entrepreneurs for investment (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Nepal-invites-UP-entrepreneurs-for-investment/articleshow/19978737.cms)

LUCKNOW: Members from the embassy of Nepal were present in the state capital on Thursday to encourage more investments from UP in the Himalayan country. Nepal ambassador KN Adhikari and minister for economics, embassy of Nepal, BP Lamsal were the main speakers at a seminar jointly organised in this regard by FIand ASSOCHAM.

They told that Nepal has relaxed taxation and foreign trade rules in their county. The country has made special provision for small investors with less than 5 crore investment in Nepal rupee by providing them a single window clearance though tourism ministry. However for investments above 5 crore in Nepal rupee, the investors would have to take the normal course of approvals from the country.

Adhikari added that Nepal has changed a lot in the recent year and now it is a federal democratic republic which has liberalised its economy. He said that 44 percent of Nepal's total FDI is from India while in import it has a major share. He said that India is the single largest trade partner of Nepal.

NTB plans to make domestic tourism more sustainable (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=NTB+plans+to+make+domestic+tourism+more+sustainable&NewsID=375812)

KATHMANDU: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is organising the 5th National Tourism Fair 2013 from Friday to promote domestic tourism.

“We are trying to make domestic tourism more sustainable,” said manager at NTB Lila Bahadur Baniya.

NTB has already organised three different regional tourism fairs in Dharan, Dhangadi and Nepalgunj. “We have more than 40 per cent tourists at the domestic level, hence domestic tourism should be taken to the next level,” he said.


“With the declining number of international tourists we have felt the need to promote domestic tourism,” said Baniya. “We should focus on national tourism too rather than being totally dependent on international tourist arrivals,” he added. According to NTB, development of infrastructure and attractive packages and destinations can easily develop the domestic tourism market. The fair will be organised from May 10-12 at Bhrikutimandap.

Building permits to be automated soon (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Building+permits++to+be++automated+soon&NewsID=375934)

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
The digital recording system aims to facilitate record-keeping in KMC and LSMC

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City (LSMC) are all set to introduce automation system for building permits. Dr Uttar Regmi, chief of Automation and House Number Department at KMC, says, “We are in the pilot phase of automation programme. If all goes well, the ‘Automated Building Plan Approval and Monitoring System’ (ABPMS) will likely be launched in mid-May to simplify the process of acquiring building permits.”


Tourists visiting Upper Mustang increased (http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54537)
Liquidity crunch in financial institutions hits margin financing (http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Liquidity+crunch+in+financial+institutions+hits+margin+financing&NewsID=375935)

KATHMANDU, MAY 14 -

Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) on Monday invited bids for dry lease of two narrow-body Airbus A320-200 jets from international aircraft manufacturers or leasing companies. The national flag carrier, currently operating with a skeleton fleet of two Boeing 757s, wants to lease the aircraft for five years to prevent a shutdown of its international service.

NAC, which has been struggling to maintain its flight schedules with the two ageing Boeings, plans to bring one of the two jets by the end of October. It plans

Link:http://www.kantipuronline.com/2013/05/14/business/nac-invites-bids-for-dry-lease-of-two-airbus-jets/371619.html

Construction of overhead bridge by New Road gate.

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/ekantipur/photos/Daily%20Photos/2013-05-19/image775909226.jpg
Source ekantipur

KATHMANDU, MAY 19 -

The Department of Roads (DoR) has sought Rs 1 billion in the upcoming budget to speed up trade routes widening work. For last three years, the government has been working on a project to upgrade and widen four selected sections of trade routes to six lanes.

The government’s Trade Route Improvement Project includes widening of Surya Binayak-Dhulikhel, Belhiya-Butwal, Rani-Itahari and Birjung-Pathalaiya sections. These are the country’s trade routes with India and China. The government in 2010 had decided to widen the routes to help

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/ekantipur/news/2013/gallery_05_19/Trade-Route-copy_20130519092414.jpg

Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/05/19/business/road-department-demands-rs-1b-for-widening-trade-routes/371883.html

KATHMANDU, MAY 15 -

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) on Tuesday demolished road side huts in the New Buspark area that were being used by vendors for various business purposes for years now.

KMC officials, along with officials of the road department and police personnel, bulldozed around 300 huts on both sides of the Chakrapath area. The officials said the illegal structures were causing traffic congestion

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/ekantipur/news/2013/gallery_05_15/Road%20expansion%20demolusion01_20130515084549.jpg
Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/05/15/business/kmc-clears-chakrapath-road-sides/371660.html

KATHMANDU, FEB 24 -

The Ministry of Physical Planning, Works and Transport Management has said it will sign the final agreement with the Nepal Purbadhar Bikas Company (NPBC) within a month to develop the Kathmandu-Hetauda Tunnel Highway.

Tulasi Prasad Situala, secretary at the ministry, said before signing the final agreement, the government will have to settle pending issues like how long the company be allowed to operate the road , tax facilities to be provided and the alignment of the road that is said to have overlapped with the

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/ekantipur/news/2013/gallery_02_24/tunnrel-road-2_201111140939_20130224090849.jpg

Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/02/24/capital/kathmandu-hetauda-tunnel-highway-final-agreement-within-a-month-ministry/367518.html

REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, May 19: The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has asked the government to set aside fund of Rs 280 million in the upcoming budget to hire around 28 consultants for fourteen infrastructure projects.

"We need at least two consultants for each project," an official at the accounting

Link:http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54929

NARAYAN NEUPANE/RSS

KATHMANDU, April 11: The opening of preliminary track of Kathmandu- Terai- Madhesh fast track, which is in number one in the list of 17 projects of national pride declared by the government, has been completed.

The government had given the responsibility of opening of track of the fast track to Nepal Army in 2066 BS.

The 76 km long fast track from Kathmandu - Lalitpur -Makwanpur

Link:http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=52973

KATHMANDU, MAY 08 -

Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), one of the firms shortlisted for the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track Road project, has requested the government to extend the deadline to submit bids by three months. The last date for submitting the bid documents is May 21.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport officials said that IL&FS had sought additional time saying that it needed to do a detailed survey of the project.

“We are against providing extra time,” said Rajendra Sharma, project manager of the Fast Track Road Project. He added that they had asked all the three shortlisted firms to provide a progress report of their preparations to submit the bid documents before deciding on a time extension.

Last December, the government had shortlisted three Indian firms IL&FS, L&T and Reliance Infrastructure and had invited

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/ekantipur/news/2013/gallery_05_08/dozer_20130508092600.jpg



Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/05/08/business/potential-bidders-for-fast-track-taking-their-time/371304.html

KATHMANDU, APR 05 -

The government’s plan to widen the Kathmandu valley’s Ring Road has gained momentum with the Chinese contractor starting a survey to widen two 1-km-long stretches on the Koteshwor-Kalanki section.

Under the project, the Balkhu River-Kalanki and Ekantakuna-Koteshwor stretches will be expanded as a model in the first phase. Based on these samples, the rest of the 9-km section targeted for development will be widened, said Ashok Tiwari, chief of Ring Road Widening Project.

He added that the road would be upgraded to eight lanes with a four-lane main road, a two-way service lane, two-way bicycle track and two-way pedestrian path.

The road widening plan also includes improving three intersections, bus stations

Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/04/05/business/survey-started-to-widen-section-of-ring-road/369527.html

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/tkp/news/2012/gallery_07_24/second-article-photo-copy_20120725083503.jpg

http://202.166.193.40/uploads/ekantipur/photos/Daily%20Photos/2011-01-29/image506222274.jpg

http://xnepali.net/movies/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/demolish.jpg

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/ekantipur/news/2011/gallery_12_05/Road-widening_20111205090211.jpg

http://www.ekantipur.com/uploads/tkp/news/2012/gallery_03_17/Traffic_Police_Rod_Explane_20120318080150.jpg

KATHMANDU: The government has kept the construction of the Mechi-Mahakali Railway in high priority considering the inevitability of the reliable development of roadway and railway for attaining long-term socio-economic prosperity in the country.

The Department of Railways says that the detailed project report (DPR) of the 135- kilometer Bardibas- Simara-Birgunj sector of the railway line has been completed in that connection.

Similarly, the Department has begun works on appointment of the consultant for and preparing the DPR of the 223-kilometre Simara-Butwal-Bhairahawa sector of the railway. It has also begun works on preparing the model of the railway.


http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mechi-mahakali-railway.jpg

Link:http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Mechi-Mahakali+railway+project+report+prepared&NewsID=367711

KATHMANDU, MAR 09 -

The government has awarded the contract to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of another two sections of the Mechi-Mahakali Electric Railway. The proposed rail link will extend along the length of Nepal from the eastern to the western borders.

The Railway Department has signed agreements with two consortium consultants to conduct the detailed survey and design of the two sections. A consortium consisting of Soosung Engineering of South Korea and a local firm Full Bright Consultancy has been contracted to do the DPR of the 114 km Simara-Tamsaria section.

Likewise, another South Korean company Dohwa Engineering and Full Bright Consultancy has received the contract for the 109 km Tamsaria-Butwal-Bhairahawa section.

http://www.ktm2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/mechimahakalitrain.jpg

Link:http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/03/09/business/mechi-mahakali-electric-railway-dpr-contracts-awarded-for-two-more-sections-of-railway-project/368171.html

It's sad that many of these projects will not be completed in time (or in the near future). Corruption in Nepal is so rampant that every single project initiated by the government will fall short of cash as it "magically" disappears aka fills the pockets of the politicians. :ohno:

It's sad that many of these projects will not be completed in time (or in the near future). Corruption in Nepal is so rampant that every single project initiated by the government will fall short of cash as it "magically" disappears aka fills the pockets of the politicians. :ohno:

It is understandable to be fairly pessimist due to the situation. But compare to the panchayat era and now after witnessing their initiatives on Ktm road widening projects implementation I could fairly say there is slight glimmer of hope. I hope all these projects would gain ground. I think the BOOT model could
really help some of these project come true. Private investor can be the catalyst in helping these project be reality.All I can do is hope for the best.

The road widening project has taken off but when is the government going to build the roads, no one knows. :/

Also, the lack of a constitution and stable political climate has severely hampered Nepal's prospects for economic growth. We have a very young population but the lack of proper economic policies and unfavorable climate for investment has caused many (like myself) to emigrate.

Setting the political factor aside what I have seen in Pokhara in regards to building an international airport is an example of what people can achieve if will is the chief motivation. It is unfortunate about the political situation in Nepal. Hopefully something concrete will emerge from all these standoffs. But Nepal has changed a lot from when I grew up. Kudos to the citizens of Pokhara for taking a stand against the government in trying to construct an int'l airport in their city.
The BOOT model is where I have my hopes in making some of these mega projects to happen. Maybe I am wrong but there is nothing wrong being optimistic.

Not at all...I of all people wish my country well. But to do better, I believe we need to be able to look ourselves in the mirror and pin point our weaknesses. That's all I am doing. If political stability and the rights policies are to be put in place in Nepal, the country's economy would take-off.