Budget has special plan for Gandaki Province's development: PM Dahal

GANDAKI: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that while most of the provisions of budget apply to all provinces, a significant and historic plan is set to be implemented in Gandaki Province.

At an event hosted by CPN (Maoist Centre) Gandaki Province in Pokhara today, Prime Minister Dahal shared that policies and programmes, and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year will make a substantial contribution to provincial development.

The federal government's budget for the forthcoming fiscal year 2024/25 prioritises the transformation of agriculture, the development of energy and information technology, tourism promotion, entrepreneurship, and industrial development.

"Bharapur, Butwal, and Pokhara will be developed as a triangle project," Prime Minister Dahal emphasised, adding that this project will be important and historic for the nation.

He stated that the construction of the 1,002MW Budhi Gandaki Project will commence, providing long-term benefits to the country's energy sector. He also mentioned that the construction of the 42MW Modi 'A' hydropower project will begin. The government has allocated a budget to facilitate pilgrims' visits to major religious sites by operating the Muktinath Darshan transport service, he explained, adding that significant efforts will be made to establish Gandaki province as a 'tourism hub'.

PM Dahal further said, "The government has also given special priority to the physical infrastructure sector. It is moving forward to complete the Muglin-Pokhara road expansion task and upgrade the Butwal-Pokhara road section to a dedicated two-lane, as well as launch various programmes to protect and promote the history, culture, language, and civilisation of Bandipur."

He expressed his belief that the establishment of a medical college in Pokhara, the upgrade of the Western Regional Hospital to a 500-bed hospital, and the operation of various industries, including the Gorakhkali Rubber Industry, under public-private partnership, will be significant for the province.

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