ADB has supported the government in upgrading about 310 kilometers (km) of roads under the Subregional Transport Enhancement Project (STEP). The project has expanded road capacity of major trade routes and provided rural communities in the northeast with a north–south link to the east–west highway, one of Nepal's main trade corridor routes. The project has upgraded and modernized customs clearance systems for transparent and simplified customs clearance procedures. Investments in improving road and related infrastructure have been an important part of ADB’s strategy in Nepal to reduce poverty and support economic growth.

Transcript

Nepal

For landlocked Nepal, roads are critical lifeline that transports 90% of passengers and goods.

Poor road connectivity limits access of remote communities to markets, economic opportunities, and social services. 

Investments in improving roads and related infrastructure have been an important part of ADB's strategy in Nepal to reduce poverty and support economic growth.

ADB has supported the government in upgrading arounf 310 kilometers of roads under the Subregional Transport Enhancement Project. 

The project has expanded road capacity of major trade routes and provided rural communities with access to markets and services.

In the past, traveling to the nearby town of Dharan would take us nearly three days, but now we can reach there in just five hours, making life much more convenient than before.

Narendra Shrestha
Local resident
Chainpur

The project has helped the locals connect to markets and economic opportunities through a more efficient, safe, and climate-resilient road network. 

Local women engaged in the production and processing of cash crops like Rudrakhsa or woodenbegar and are earning a good income.

Previously, we relied on porters to transport our goods to the market, which was both time-consuming and expensive. The roads have made it easier to transport my produce.

Radha Devi Magar
Woodenbegar trader
Khandbari

The flow of tourists to the area has doubled following the construction of the road and this has greatly benefited the locals.

Nabin Kumar Gauli
Hotel entrepreneur
Khandbari

The upgraded roads at major border points have significantly lowered the logistics cost at two major international trade corridors. 

Before the upgrade, the highway was narrow and accident-prone. Now, it has been widened with a divider in between, making it much safer for drivers and commuters. With a clear idea of travel time, we can plan our trips in advance. Previously, our tires needed replacement every three months, but now they can last up to twelve months.

Sonu Ali
Transport entrepreneur
Nepalgunj

The project has upgraded and modernized customs clearance systems by introducing ASYCUDA (Automated Systems for Customs Data) World System for transparent and simplified customs clearance procedures. 

The usage of ASYCUDA World, an IT-based system, has brought about numerous positive impacts, such as reducing time and cost for customs clearance and streamlining procedures.

Prabin Limbu
Customs officer
Nepalgunj

A survey carried out by the Department of Roads shows that road crashes have dropped substantially, travel time has been reduced by 40%, cost of travel and vehicle operation reduced by 20%, and availability of vehicles increased by 16%. 

For a landlocked country like Nepal, the development of roads is crucial for economic activities and development, connecting people to public services, farmers to market, and children to school. Actually, without the development of roads, we cannot have a vibrant economy. Moving forward we will continue working with the Government of Nepal in creating better and sustainable road connectivity, developing further the strategic road network, and increasing rural connectivity.

Arnaud Cauchois
Country Director
Asian Development Bank, Nepal
 

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