Motorable Local Roads Bridge Programme (MLRBP) – Phase II

Nepal is facing serious shortages of essential supplies due to the protests in Terai which started soon after the promulgation of the new constitution. The discontent in the plains has severely disrupted development activities across the country and it does not seem likely to be resolved anytime soon. In addition, the situation will need to be further analyzed on the potential new actors as per the new constitution in Nepal, details of which are expected to be clearer next year. It is because of this uncertain political context and the limitations posed by the current frame credit, that this phase is proposed for a period of one year only.

The Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR) estimates that there are 50,943 kms of local roads in Nepal, out of which only 16,177 kms (32%) are all-weather, and more than 68% are in non-operable conditions. As a result, most of the roads are not pliable during monsoon. While the issue of maintenance of local roads is being addressed in all the major road sector programmes, the issue of motorable bridges remains a major bottleneck for better connectivity. As a result, benefits of investments made on roads sector so far couldn't be optimized.

The overall goal of the Programme is:‘People[1], especially Disadvantaged Groups (DAGs)[2] in the programme districts have improved livelihoods’.

[1] ‘People are defined as those who live in the zone of influence of the motorable bridge within the districts where the programme is implemented, generally around 8’500 people are benefitting per bridge from improved access to all-weather roads within the proximity of 2,4 and 6 hours of walk.

[2] Socially discriminated and economically poor as defined by SDC

Around 380’000 people[1] will benefit from improved accessibility; DoLIDAR, the programme districts' authorities (DDCs) and the national/local private sector will benefit from increased capacities.

[1] On an average, a total of 8,500 people per bridge (with expected completion of 60 bridges at the end of the phase) within the zone of influence in the districts will benefit from improved access to services and opportunities.

Outcome 1:
People, especially DAGs have improved access to services and livelihood opportunities;

Outcome 2:
National and local institutions adopt an appropriate construction strategy for local bridges.

Resultados previstos:  

Output 1: Local Bridge Section (LBS) in DDCs/DTOs strengthen their capacity to build road bridges with appropriate technology[1].

Output 2: Disadvantaged Groups (DAGs) within the zone of influence of the motorable bridge benefited from employment in bridge construction works.

Output 3: The Local Bridge Section/DoLIDAR strengthen their capacity to produce standard type designs and pilot new types of bridges/river crossing and approaches.

Output 4: LBS/DoLIDAR strengthens their capacity to develop and update norms and standards related with the bridge building.

Output 5: The private sector strengthens their capacity to construct local road bridges.

[1] Cost-effective, technically sound, labor based and locally adaptab.

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

With the completion of 85 bridges, vehicles are now plying year round along 1436 kms of roads in 75 districts. More than 400’000 person days of employment were generated, out of which, a total of 280’000 person days (70%) of work went to Disadvantaged Groups (DAGs).

Traffic and freight volumes on the completed bridges have increased by 45% and 38%, respectively while the freight costs for transporting goods have decreased by 5%, after the construction of the bridges.

Within the short period of 4 years, MLRBP has already gained the confidence of the Government counterpart in the areas of bridge planning, designing, and construction supervision. The most significant achievement is the preparation of a comprehensive Bridge Information Management System (BIMS) with Bridge Screening and Prioritization Criteria (BSPC) and its introduction to the districts and DoLIDAR for the rational selection of the local roads bridges in the country.

Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), DoLIDAR and 75 partner districts.

Local Roads Improvement Programme (LRIP I), other local road projects of GoN.

Fase 2 01.06.2016 - 28.02.2018   (Completed)