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VOL. 03, NO. 03, July 01, 2009 (Ashadh 17 2066)
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Steady progress in the peace process without violence is vitally Important
By Tatsuo MIZUNO
It is my great pleasure to sign and exchange a set of Notes with Mr. Khanal, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, on the Project for Construction of Sindhuli Road Section III, amounting to four billion, three hundred and thirty-three million Japanese Yen (¥4,333,000,000) or approximately three billion, four hundred and eighty-three million, seven hundred and thirty-two thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.3,483,732,000).
The Grant being extended today is to be utilized to procure the products and services necessary for the construction of Sindhuli Road Section III, which stretches from Khurkot – Nepalthok for approximately 37km.
In consideration of the aspirations of the people of Nepal, the Government of Japan has been responding to Nepal’s requests to achieve sustainable socio-economic development for poverty alleviation, which will ultimately facilitate peace building and human security in Nepal. In this regard, Japan has been extending grant assistance for the Sindhuli Road Project since 1996. This Road is about 160km in length, stretching from Bardibas to Dhulikhel, and is divided into four sections.
The Sindhuli Road is one of the most promising projects being implemented under Japan’s ODA. It is one of the world’s largest Grant Aid Projects being implemented under Japan’s ODA, so far, in terms of aid volume.
For the construction of Section I, Section II, Section IV, emergency rehabilitation of Section IV and the detailed design of Section III, Japan has already extended a total sum of fifteen billion, eight hundred and sixty-nine million Japanese Yen (¥15,869,000,000) for this Project.
I am sure you know that Phase III of Section II was successfully completed on April 27, this year. I am very happy that I could attend the completion ceremony at Sindhuli Bazaar together with former Prime Minister, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The highway was very beautiful and was in harmony with the fresh green of the mountains, and one can enjoy splendid panoramic views. It is a wonderful new sight-seeing spot.
On the other hand, there were a huge number of hardships and accidents. I was shocked to learn that one of the Japanese experts, Minoru MORISAWA, died on September 24, 2006 after falling from a steep slope in the course of construction work. I would like to share my sincere condolences for his demise with all of you here.
Once this Section III (Khurkot – Nepalthok) is completed, this Sindhuli Road will be ready to play the role of main corridor between the capital city Kathmandu and the Mahendra Highway (the East-West Highway) in the Terai via Kavrepalanchok, Ramechhap, Sindhuli and Maohttari Districts, reducing travelling distances significantly.
Incidentally, on the route between Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, road-widening construction work is now in progress, as another one of Japan’s ODA projects. When all the road projects are completed in some years’ time, we will be able to say that the road-route from Kathmandu to Bardibas via Bhaktapur and Dhulikhel shall be totally connected into one line, and thus, long awaited dreams of the local people will come true.
Now, let me reiterate my proposal on the naming. I heard the concept of Sindhuli does not cover the whole route up to Bardibas, and this Road symbolizes the friendship between two countries. Taking these points into consideration, I would like to propose a new naming, for example, ’Nepal-Japan Friendship Road‘. But if you feel this name is too long, the next option is ‘Sakura Road’, Sakura means ‘cherry-blossom’ in Japanese and representing the heart of the Japanese people. Or perhaps the road could be called the ‘JaNep Road'.
The Sindhuli Road has already brought about great benefits to the local people in the field of public services such as health and education. For example, I heard that, in the past, even emergency patients were forced to be transported for several hours by car along bumpy and narrow mountain paths. But, now those emergency patients can be transported very rapidly to medical facilities, such as to the Dhulikhel Medical Institute (DMI), which is well known as a high class hospital. Just for your reference, its hostel building and some of the medical equipment at the DMI has been provided by Japan through its ODA funding.
Nepal is on the path to peace and prosperity. In order to accomplish the national development targets, steady progress in the peace process without violence is vitally important. I would like to salute the spirit of tolerance and harmony that brings the Nepalese people together and united regardless of their political and ethnic differences. Japan is determined to continue to provide all possible assistance as long as the Nepali peace process moves ahead in a democratic manner without threats and intimidation.
I believe the Sindhuli Road is a symbolic road that will lead to peace and prosperity for a new Nepal, and a road that will further connect the hearts of the people of Japan and Nepal.
Remarks by HE Mr. Tatsuo MIZUNO, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal on the Occasion of E/N Signing Ceremony of the Project for the Construction of the Sindhuli Road (Section III: Khurkot – Nepalthok Section).
