Kathmandu — Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, met Chinese Ambassador Chen Song in Singha Durbar on Wednesday.
Ambassador Song congratulated Ghising on his new appointment and wished him success. Their discussions focused on road connectivity, hydropower, and ongoing infrastructure projects supported by China.
Roads and Transmission Links
Ghising highlighted the importance of the Kathmandu–Kodari (Araniko) and Syaprubesi–Rasuwagadhi highways, calling them vital cross-border routes. He noted that landslides and fragile terrain have made them risky and asked for Chinese technical support to secure lasting repairs.
He also urged progress on a new cross-border transmission line through Kimathanka, pointing out that several hydropower projects are underway in the Arun Corridor and that stronger transmission links would make Nepal’s power market more competitive.
Slow Progress on Projects
The minister raised concern over delays in projects handled by Chinese contractors. He called for faster work on the Narayanghat–Butwal and Muglin–Pokhara road expansions, and pressed for immediate construction of the Kalanki–Vasundhara section of the Kathmandu Ring Road, being built with Chinese grant aid.
China’s Assurances
Ambassador Song reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Nepal in its priority development sectors. The meeting was also attended by ministry secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma, Development Assistance Coordination and Quality Division chief Sushil Babu Dhakal, Roads Department director-general Bijaya Jaisi, and Manhari Dangal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Northeast Asia Division.
