A six-member field inspection team led by Suresh Neupane, engineer of the Ministry of Physical Planning, Works and Transport Management (MoPPWTM), identified lack of experience and equipment to blast boulders along the proposed waterway as the major problems in timely execution of the project. [break]
The team completed inspection of the Simle-Lepuwaghat (32 km) section of the proposed Chatara-Tribeni-Simle-Lepuwaghat (45 km) waterway on June 12.
“We have suggested the government to arrange trainings for NA technicians and help it acquire necessary equipment and technology as the task is entirely a new experience for the army,” Neupane told Republica.
The government has allocated Rs 10 million in the current fiscal year to clear routes.
A feasibility study conducted in March last year stated that water transport is possible on Chatara-Tribeni-Simle-Lepuwaghat route of Koshi River. Water transport is already operational in 13 km section of the route, serving 800 passengers every day.
A detailed feasibility study conducted in April stated that a total of 450 km of waterways can be developed in Koshi, Gandaki and Bheri rivers.
According to Neupane, recreational water transport is feasible in Tribeni-Saune (45 km) section of Koshi River, Devghat-Aptar-Sauni (130 km) of Kaligandaki River, Mugling-Fisling section (16 km) of Trishuli River (16km), Chisapani-Ghatgaun (15 km) section of Bheri River (15km) and Devghat-Mugling (32.5km) section of Narayani River.
Commercial water transport is already operational in Chatara-Tribeni-Simle (13 km) section of Koshi River and Mirmi-Setibeni (5 km) section of Kaligandaki River.
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