Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU, 9 June) – Deep Kumar Upadhyay, Ambassador of Nepal to India, paid a courtesy call on Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping of the Government of India at Transport Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi on Monday.
During the courtesy meeting, matters pertaining to Nepal-India cooperation in road connectivity were discussed. Ambassador Upadhyay apprised the Minister about the current situation in Nepal in the aftermath of the massive earthquake and noted about the ongoing post disaster needs assessment activities.
He further appreciated the assistance and cooperation extended by the Government of India for Nepal’s development efforts. The Ambassador said that Nepal is inspired by the rapid progress in India in the development of road sector and technological advancement in infrastructure development.
Ambassador Upadhyay emphasised about the need for improving the condition of link roads from Indian Highways to Nepal border with the view of facilitating trade, transit and tourism between the two countries.
While noting that the link roads on Nepal side are being developed as six lanes standard, the Ambassador requested the Minister to consider improving and upgrading the road networks that extend from the Indian National Highways towards Nepal from two lanes to four lanes specifically between Banbasa-Mahendranagar along with Sarada barrage, Bahraich-Nepalgunj, Gorakhpur-Bhairahawa, Mujjafarpur-Birgunj, Purnia-Biratnagar and Silguri-Kakarbhitta. He also mentioned about the need for finalizing Hulaki road project in Nepal.
Minister Gadkari assured of enhanced cooperation from the Government of India to Nepal in the development of road sector. He also expressed the readiness in developing dry port in Nepal. He also mentioned that Nepal has immense potentials in the development of hydro projects and the two countries could expedite cooperation in this sector for mutual benefits.
Ambassador Upadhyay was accompanied by Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Deputy Chief of Mission, Dhundi Raj Pokharel, Minister Economic, and Tirtha Raj Wagle, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy during the courtesy meeting.