KATHMANDU: Local representatives from flood-affected regions have urged the government to prioritize the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges.
During a meeting at Singha Durbar on Monday, local leaders emphasized that the destruction of infrastructure has significantly hindered rescue and relief operations, calling for the immediate construction of alternative routes and Bailey bridges.
Rajan Shrestha, mayor of Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot, stated that the collapse of bridges along the Trishuli River has made movement extremely difficult.
He noted that journeys that typically take two to three hours now require 15 to 20 hours. Shrestha reported that 10 wards within his municipality have been damaged and stressed that rehabilitation efforts must be linked to employment and sustainable livelihoods.
Jagat Bahadur Gurung, mayor of Belkotgadhi Municipality, expressed frustration over the slow response of federal administrative mechanisms during the disaster. ‘We, the local representatives, have been working on relief, rescue, and rehabilitation, but we have not received the expected support from the federal administrative machinery,’ Gurung said. He argued that standard bureaucratic procedures for surveys and cost estimates are causing unnecessary delays during an emergency.
Parashuram Khatiwada, chair of Siddhalek Rural Municipality in Dhading, requested the construction of an alternative road to the district headquarters and demanded appropriate compensation for farmers whose crops were destroyed by the floods.
According to the representatives, the prime minister assured them that there would be no shortage of budget for infrastructure development and relocation efforts. The government also committed to addressing policy-related delays to expedite the resettlement process.
The meeting concluded with a consensus among the three tiers of government to coordinate efforts in managing the national disaster. It was also decided that special priority would be given to Rasuwa in the distribution of relief materials.
