Sub-regional Transport Enhancement Project (STEP) [ADB Loan No. 2685 NEP(SF)/ADB Grant No.-0225 NEP(SF)]

Project Description

The proposed Sub-regional Transport Enhancement Project (STEP) funded by the Asian Development Bank, includes upgrading/Improvement of 6 roads: (i) Belbari-Chaurahawa Road (47.80 km), (ii) Bhairahawa Bypass Road (3.39 Km), (iii) Nepalgunj-Kohalpur Road (22.23 km), (iv) Harkapur-Okhaldhunga Road (41.20 Km), (v) Chainpur-Khandbari Road (43.56 km), and (vi) Okhaldhunga-Salleri Road (57.65 km) road to DBST standard. The project road consists of 2 lanes (51.20 km), 4 lanes (18.0 km) and single lane roads (142.40 km) in hilly and terai (plain) regions of Nepal.

(i) Belbari-Chaurahawa Road (BC): Belbari – Chaurahawa section of the EWH is located in the eastern part of four terai districts of Nepal: Morang, Sunsari, Siraha and Saptari. The total length of the road section is more than 140 km but the present road section included in this project is a 46.3 km long in Siraha and Saptari districts. The project road starts at Bharadah of Saptari district located on the western bank of River Koshi and ends at Chaurahawa (Ch: 218+000 of East West Highway) of Siraha district.

(ii) Bhairahawa Bypass Road (BBY): The road alignment is new one from Belhiya to Basantpur that passes through the privately owned land; land acquisition is required for the 30 m strip along the alignment as the ROW proposed is 15m. The land of about 9.12 ha is to be acquired for the construction of the road that will affect 135 household (estimated of 1002 as affected population). The land acquisition can be a major issue with this project with people demanding higher price for compensation; nevertheless people are positive towards the project and are eagerly waiting for the implementation of the same as they have witnessed the impact of the road constructed under STFP from Bhairahwa-Parasi-Bhumahi recently.

(iii) Nepalgunj-Kohalpur Road (NK): Nepalgunj–Kohalpur Road is located in the Banke district, Bheri Zone and Mid-Western Development Region of Nepal having length of 22.23 km under STEP.

(iv) Harkapur-Okhaldhunga Road (HO): Harkapur – Okhaldhunga Road is located in the Okhaldhunga district, Sagarmatha Zone and Eastern Development Region of Nepal having length of 41.2 km under STEP. The project road starts at Harkapur a settlement on the left bank of River Sunkoshi and ends at Okhaldhunga Bazaar the district headquarters of Okhaldhunga district

(v) Chainpur – Khandbai Road (CK): Chainpur – Khandbai Road is located in the Sankhuwasabha district, Koshi Zone and Eastern Development Region of Nepal having length of 43.8 km under STEP. The present project starts at Chainpur an important historic township on the top of a hill and ends at Khandbari Bazaar the district headquarters of Sankhuwasabha district. The section is a part of north-south corridor in the Koshi zone that connects Biratnagar (a border of Nepal with India) and upcoming Arun power project up in the north.

(vi) Okhaldhunga-Salleri Road (OS): Okhaldhunga – Salleri Road is located in the Okhaldhunga and Solukhumbu districts, Sagarmatha Zone and Eastern Development Region of Nepal having length of 58 km. The project starts at Okhaldhunga, the district headquarters of Okhaldhunga district and ends at Salleri Bazaar the district headquarters of Solukhambu district.
Total Length of the Project: 215.60 km, Estimated cost of the project: US $ 43.0 million.

Assignment Description

The major activities carried out are; • Construction Supervision Component: • Bid evaluation of civil work contracts for project roads and recommendation to DoR on all contractual matters • Construction supervision, quality control and contract administration for all 16 Contract Packages ensuring full compliance with the design, drawings, specifications and civil works contact document (FIDIC Red Book). All the 16 contract packages have been successfully completed • Implementation and monitoring of social and environmental aspects, including implementation of resettlement, social and environmental monitoring in accordance with the recommendations of Resettlement Plan, Environmental Management Plan and Social Development Plan, and Design and Implement Human Trafficking and HIV/AIDS program; and • Improvement of road safety • Providing the employers with complete records including monthly progress reports, • Preparation of trimester reports and project completion report of following roads packages: • Belbari-Chaurahawa Road (47.80 km) Double lane (Asphalt Concrete) : 2 ICB packages • Harkapur-Okhaldhunga Road (41.20 Km) Double lane (DBST) : 4 NCB packages • Okhaldhunga-Salleri Road (57.65 km) Double lane (DBST) : 5 NCB packages • Chainpur-Khandbari Road (43.56 km) Double lane (DBST) : 2 NCB packages • Bhairahawa Bypass Road (3.39 Km) (Asphalt Concrete) : 1 NCB package • Nepalgunj-Kohalpur Road (22.23 km) 4 lane (Asphalt Concrete) : 2 ICB packages • DoR Capacity Building Component: • Prepared comprehensive training proposals in close consultation with Director General and Project Director of DoR on modern road technologies, road asset management and project management; • Conducted training and workshop to about 57 participants of DOR and Roads Board Nepal; • Overseas training to senior executives has been provided in Australia for one week.