Hetauda-Kathmandu tunnel project falls in government priority, says Dahal

Hetauda / January 23: UCPN (Maoist) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the construction of Hetauda-Kathmandu tunnel is the top priority of the government.

Inaugurating the 49th AGM of Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, the Chairman Dahal said the project falls in the government priority as it will help create employment opportunity with modernizing the country’s infrastructure development model. He said he has already talked with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to expedite the project.

He further said efforts were underway to reopen the Birgunj-Raxaul point through a matured diplomatic process without hurting the sovereignty of the nation and people.

Political leadership could show maturity in their actions to free the country from corruption and to promote good governance, the former Prime Minister said, insisting on cooperation between the government and political parties to make the country economically prosperous by ensuring social justice to the people.

On the occasion, Minister of State for Industry Meghraj Nepali said the government was planning to arrange separate power extension line for industries.

Lawmaker Ram Narayan Bidari demanded that Makwanpur declared the industrial zone of peace and the government provide land for establishing new industries in the Hetauda Industrial Corridor.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Pashupati Murarka, CPN (UML) local leader Munu Sigdel, Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Madhav Risal and outgoing President Raj Kumar Neupane demanded soft bank loan to industries hit by the economic crisis, a result of economic blockade on the country imposed by India.

Lawmaker Bidari, media workers Sudip Siwakoti, MP Sharma and Balkrishna Adhikari were honoured on the occasion. RSS