CHAPTER 4
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN NEPAL
In the 2000s, Nepal was one of the most rapidly urbaniz- ing countries of the world, as reflected by the proportion of the population living in urban areas, which increased from 8.8 percent in 1990 to 16.4 percent in 2009. Although
and create jobs for the urban populations through the provision of drainage and sewerage systems, roads, solid waste management systems, water supply systems and community development programs. The OPEC Fund spe-
urban areas have higher productivity and substantially lower poverty, infra- structure development and service delivery had not kept pace with the rapid population growth. Inadequate
cifically funded the component aim- ing to improve drainage and sewer- age systems, as well as and roads and lanes.
drinking water, sanitation, and waste disposal facilities re- sulted in problems that included water pollution and wa- terlogging from poor drainage; these negatively impacted urban environments and posed challenges and health risks. Urbanization had been a priority of the government of Nepal, but increasing investment in urban infrastruc- ture to improve living conditions was urgent, particularly in towns outside the Kathmandu Valley. In 2010, OPEC Fund approved a US$17 million loan to the government of Nepal to support the co-financing of the “Urban Infrastructure Improvement Project” to improve the urban infrastructure and services offered in three mu- nicipalities across Nepal. The goal of this project was to improve standards of living, reduce the poverty incidence
The project achieved the target of constructing 82.62 km of major storm water drains, 53.39 km of roadside drains and 52.22 km of sewer lines. In addition, it exceeded the wastewater treatment plant construction target of 25,000 m 3 /day by adding a total capacity of 31,106 m 3 /day while falling short of the target of reaching 25,000 house- holds with improvements to their sanitary connections. By the time of project completion 1,581 households had been connected to the sewer networks and 82 households had received onsite sanitation facilities through desludging of their private septic tanks. The project successfully also upgraded 49.67 km of roads and/or lanes in Biratnagar and 23.25 km of roads in Birgunj. 299.32 km of water sup- ply pipes were upgraded in Kavre, exceeding the target of 110 km.
The project achieved the target of constructing
82.62 KM
of major storm water drains,
53.39 KM
of roadside drains and
52.22 KM of sewer lines.
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