Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development Kul Man Ghising held a meeting with China’s Chen Song for Nepal. Chinese Ambassador Song called on Minister Ghising at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on Wednesday and congratulated him.

Issues related to road and transmission line connectivity between Nepal and China, progress of road and power projects awarded contracts with Chinese contractors, cooperation in energy sector, implementation status of projects run with Chinese assistance and Chinese investment were discussed during the meeting.

On the occasion, Minister Ghising said that Kathmandu-Kodari (Araniko) and Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road linking Nepal and China are very important and sensitive but are risky due to landslides and geographical conditions, urging the Chinese authorities to provide support for the permanent operation of the road by repairing it.

He also urged the government to immediately start the construction of the Kalanki-Basundhara section under the expansion of the Kathmandu Valley Ring Road and to expedite the construction of another inter-country transmission line from Kimathanka to make Nepal’s electricity market more competitive.

Stating that the construction of Kamala-Kanchanpur hydropower project, which was awarded the contract with a Chinese company, was not satisfactory, he urged the Chinese side to take initiatives for expediting the Narayanghat-Butwal and Muglin-Pokhara road expansion works.

The Chinese ambassador also said that China was ready to support Nepal in priority areas. Also present during the meeting were Secretary at the Ministry Keshav Kumar Sharma, Chief of Development Assistance Coordination and Quality Division Sushil Babu Dhakal, Director General of Department of Roads Bijaya Jaishi and Under-Secretary at the North East Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Manhari Dangal, among others.