KATHMANDU: The government is working diligently to bring damaged roads in the Bhote Koshi flood-affected areas back into operation for traffic by mid-September.

During a discussion held today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers with elected representatives from the flood-affected areas, Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal stated that the construction of roads and bridges has been accelerated through the formation of eight thematic task forces.

Minister Lamsal urged local elected representatives to assist in ensuring there is no duplication of efforts during infrastructure reconstruction. Work is being expedited to immediately operate alternative roads and install cable crossings (tuins) and suspension bridges in the flood-affected areas.

In this context, he urged local elected representatives to coordinate with the heads of various agencies under the Ministry to provide details on damaged infrastructure in their respective areas, formulate plans, and oversee coordination, monitoring, and regulation of construction activities.

During the discussion, Minister for Information and Communications, and Member of the House of Representatives from Nuwakot, one of the districts affected by the Bhote Koshi floods, Bikram Timilsina, noted that non-governmental organizations have been making promises to flood survivors for construction of houses and the protection of the elderly and children, but they should operate only in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. He also urged local representatives to collect data ensuring that no survivor in the affected areas is left out and to share the information to the federal government in a timely manner.