Government Introduces New Public Roads Bill to Modernize Infrastructure
Summary
The government has introduced a new Public Roads Bill to replace the nearly five-decade-old Road Act and modernize Nepal’s road infrastructure management. The draft adds stricter road boundaries, utility corridors, penalties for encroachment, and a three-tier road classification system.
Key Points
- The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has prepared the 'Bill to Manage Public Roads, 2083' for submission to the Federal Parliament.
- The draft introduces a three-tier road classification system: federal, provincial, and local roads.
- It sets stricter road boundary rules, bans unauthorized digging, and imposes heavy fines for encroachment and obstruction.
- The bill also promotes PPP-based road projects, toll collection, and lists 80 roads as national highways.
