Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, has asserted that the budget allocation under the Ministry is balanced. In his responses to inquiries from lawmakers during the discussions on the Appropriation Bill-2082 BS related to his Ministry in the National Assembly today, the Minister emphasized that the budget allocation to the Ministry is within the ceiling and is balanced across geographical, demographic, and provincial lines.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Singh highlighted that the budget for the Bagamati Province is relatively higher due to the presence of projects such as ministers’ quarters, quarters for VVIPS, and the Bancharedanda Sanitary Landfill sites. He dismissed any allegations of undue influence and maintained that the allocation was based on necessity.
The Minister further explained that priority was given to major urban economic corridors like Itahari-Damak-Kakarbhitta, Butwal-Bhairahawa, and Bhimdatta-Attariya-Dhangadhi due to their strategic significance in urban development. He announced the launch of the New Town Project for the planned development of new towns along the Mid-Hill Highway and introduced the concept of ‘smart cities’ for urban development in other regions.
He also mentioned that the Urban Infrastructure Technology and Training Center is researching alternatives to corrugated zinc sheets. This research aims to support the Safe Citizen Housing Programme by replacing thatched roofs in the Terai and hill regions, considering the increasing concerns over global warming.