QUARTERLY

April to June, 2011 | VOLUME 61 JICA Office www.jica.go.jp/nepal/english A Model Road for New Nepal The - Road

he Kathmandu-Bhaktapur Road is part The Kathmandu-Bhaktapur Road Main objectives: Tof the Arniko Highway that connects Improvement Project a) To enhance traffic capacity and reduce Kathmandu, nation’s capital center of traffic congestion politics, economy and administration, The Kathmandu-Bhaktapur road project b) To enhance land use and activation of with the ancient cities of Bhaktapur and was initiated after the preliminary study by urban economy , situated in the east JICA team in December 2005 upon a request c) To improve public transportation system of the . These three made by the Government of Nepal (GoN). cities are popular tourist destinations The Initial Environment Examination (IEE) Special Features: and get thousands of visitors every year. was approved by the GoN on July 3, 2006. • It is a high volume inter urban road in The Kathmandu-Bhaktapur section starts The JICA Basic Design study for this project the Kathmandu Valley at Tinkune in Kathmandu and ends was completed in June 2007, which proposed • The urbanization of Kathmandu is at Suryabinayak in Bhaktapur passing following interventions: rapidly increasing along this road through Madhyapur Thimi. a) Widening of existing road between corridor Kathmandu (Tinkune Intersection) and The vehicle registration in Nepal has Bhaktapur (Suryabinayak Intersection) seen a steep rise during recent years. b) Construction of new bridges: Manohara As a consequence, traffic congestion in and Hanumante Kathmandu has become very severe c) Improvement of intersections at especially during morning and evening Jadibuti, Gatthaghar, Thimi, Sallaghari, peak hours. This situation is expected to and Suryabinayak become worse in the coming days. The road d) Provision of lay-by for bus stops section from Tinkune to Bhaktapur has one of the highest traffic volumes (50,000 The contractor i.e. Hazama Corporation vehicles per day as of the traffic count of was mobilized on October 8, 2008 and the 2007) among the trunk roads in Nepal. construction were completed in March 2011. Furthermore, after the completion of JICA supported Sindhuli Road, it is anticipated that the incoming and outgoing of additional vehicles will further increase the traffic flow in this section of the road. As a result, the widening of the Kathmandu-Bhaktapur road section was implemented. Description & Main Features: The construction of the road has been Scope Improvement of road from Tinkune junction in Kathmandu to Suryabinayak junction in Bhaktapur completed but with this completion Length 9.142 Km. comes another set of challenges as well as opportunities for the line agencies and Carriage width 2x3.5 m=7 meter x two directions = 14m stakeholders. Some of them are as follows: Design speed 80 Kmph a) Maintenance of road with a paradigm Pavement Type Asphalt Concrete Pavement shift from traditional way of Shoulder 3 M (including traffic barrier) maintenance Bridge Apart from existing new pc girder bridge at Manohara and b) New ways of traffic management Hanumante (width 12.5m) c) New method of traffic enforcement Intersection Improvement 5 Intersections: Jadibuti, Gattaghar, Thimi, Sallaghari, d) Capacity building of the Road Safety Suryabinayak 3 Signalized: Jadibuti, Gattaghar, Sallaghari stakeholders Median Strip 3m wide median from Koteshower to Suryabinayak e) Road Safety campaign & measures 60cm wide New Jersey from Tinkune to f) Occupational health and safety Access Road 11 access roads other than intersections Bus Stop 14 locations Way forward and Lessons learned Road lighting At intersections, bridge and bus stops from the Project a) It is necessary to look into the overall Cost of Project (Japanese side) 2586.3 million Japanese Yen (construction from Japanese side) work of the entire project in totality. Cost of Project (Nepali side) Relocation of utilities, cost against land and house relocation, In addition, the work also needs to be service road construction broken down into many sections and responsibilities for an efficient and • It is a section of the Asian Highway that is works, etc. However, most of these challenges successful outcome. expected to bear the future trade between were tackled accordingly. For example, b) The Safety awareness programs for pre, India and China as well as future traffic serious and sincere effort was made through during, and post construction stages, from the Sindhuli Road repeated discussions with the local residents and post-construction stages need • Many small industries as well as in order to curb traffic accidents by instilling to be addressed during the planning educational institutions are along this site safety patrolling and coordination with stage itself. road corridor the traffic and local police as well as through c) Stakeholders’ analysis as well as • Tourist attraction places such as Thimi and various traffic rules and safety awareness rigorous discussion should be carried Bhaktapur are along the road and it also campaigns. Similarly, the dust pollution out more extensively, which in turn leads to Dhulikhel, Banepa, Nala, Panauti, was controlled by continuous sprinkling of will help to reduce the project’s issues ChanguNarayan, Nagarkot, etc. water, and likewise. and challenges in later stages.

Challenges: Running any urban projects especially roads entail various challenges. One of the first challenges when the project started was the relocation of utilities. This was not an easy task as Kathmandu is an old city and these utilities were first laid in an unplanned manner. Relocating them while still maintaining the continuation of services provided by these utilities to the locals was quite difficult. In addition to this, the relocation of trolley poles proved to be tricky as many parties and line The Kathmandu-Bhaktapur road project agencies were involved. Various other daily challenges included managing the heavy traffic during construction phase in a smooth manner, traffic accidents resulting mainly due to poor traffic ethics and its violations, environmental issues such as dust pollution, damages to the utilities caused due to the construction 2 First Nepali to Bag the Prestigious JSCE Award

The Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) International award is bestowed to an overseas civil engineer in recognition and appreciation of his/her professional services contributing to the advancement of Japanese civil engineering disciplines. The JSCE was established as an incorporated association in 1914. Bindu Shamsher Rana became the first Nepali to be honored with this prestigious JSCE International award for the fiscal year of 2010. Congratulations, Mr. Rana !

“Mr. Bindu Shamsher Rana from the May 27 of 2011 established a major meet and discuss the present status and Department of Roads, Ministry of “milestone in my life when I received progress of the Sindhuli Road Project Physical Planning and Works, has been the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) (see box) with high officials from JICA working as the Project Manager of the International Award-2010 at a special Headquarters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Construction of Sindhuli Road, supported under the Japanese Grant Aid, since 1996. ceremony in Japan by the President of Japan and JSCE. He has shown remarkable endurance JSCE, Dr. Eng. Kenji Sakata. The award and resourcefulness through monitoring certificate states the recognition of my The JSCE International award is a and supervision of the construction, ‘sincere commitment and dedication prestigious award and a matter of great procurement maintenance, environmental in implementing the Banepa-Sindhuli- pride for any civil engineer. Furthermore, and social consideration and above all, Bardibas Road Project (The Project I am really proud to be the first Nepali the smooth continuation and overall for Construction of Sindhuli Road) national and the fifteenth non-native to management even during the tough in cooperation with JICA; significant receive this award since its inception insurgency time including post-insurgency achievement and contribution in the in 1920. I truly feel honored and at the that created various challenges in the field of road and bridge management same time it encourages me to work even form of strikes, shortage of construction and disaster risk reduction in Nepal by harder. I give my heartfelt thanks to JICA, materials, etc. Mr. Rana successfully tackled various obstacles in a wise and adopting the Japanese civil engineering Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan and timely manner. This project could not have technology; and tireless effort to introduce all those who have extended their support progressed forward without his notable that technology not only in Nepal but also to me. I would also like to thank JSCE for efforts. It gives us great pleasure to extend in the neighboring countries.” recognizing my contribution. our congratulations to him.” - JICA Nepal Office During my visit to receive the award in Thank you.” Japan, I got an excellent opportunity to - Bindu Shamsher Rana

Sindhuli road is planned as a new alternate Project for the route, which connects the capital city Kathmandu to Terai. Its feasibility study was construction of completed in 1988 by JICA.

Sindhuli Road Total length (158km) from Bardibas to Dhulikhel was divided into 4 sections: Section1: Bardibas-Sindhuli Bazaar (37km) (Grant Aid Project) Section2: Sindhuli Bazaar-Khurkot (39km) Section3: Khurkot-Nepalthok (32km) Section4: Nepalthok-Dhulikhel (50km)

The construction work first started on section 1 in 1996. The construction work has been completed in section 1, 2 and 4 while Section 3 is under construction. Japanese and Nepali engineers are making great efforts to accomplish this project as it is challenging to build a road in the difficult geographical terrains of Nepal. Designed to be environmental friendly, this road is anticipated to be not just a new road but also a road corridor that will encourage socio-economic development and connect people to people.

Partners/Counterparts: Department of Roads, Ministry of Physical Planning & Works Period: 1996 - under construction 3 Area: Bardibas - Dhulikhel The Launch of Media for Peace (MeP) Project Promoting Peace Building and Democratization

Prime Minister, MoIC; Mr. Project and transformation of Radio Nepal Narayan Prasad Regmi, into Public Broadcasting Institution and also Joint Secretary, MoIC; discussed the existing practices of NHK. Mr. Tapanath Shukla, Executive Director of The second session comprised of paper Radio Nepal followed by presentations, ‘New Media Policies: closing remarks from Mr. Challenges and Options’ by Mr. Gokul Sushil Ghimire, Secretary, Pokhrel that highlighted the major MoIC. Mr. Mitsuyoshi steps in the development of regulatory Kawasaki, the Chief regime of media sector in Nepal from Representative of JICA 1901 B.S. to date. Similarly, Mr Taranath Nepal Office, remarked Dahal presented ‘Enhancement and that Nepal will soon Strengthening of Radio Nepal to transform have a new constitution into PSB’, which focused on the current and media people will state of Radio Nepal. These presentations have to play a crucial were each followed by an open floor role in disseminating comments and question & answer rounds. ICA Nepal supports the Government of right information to the general public for Mr. Take Toru, the Senior Representative of JNepal in the field of Peacebuilding and better understanding of the constitution. JICA Nepal Office concluded the program Democratization by providing technical He added that JICA will remain fully by hoping that Radio Nepal, which enjoys cooperation to media with an aim to support committed to support the people of Nepal its wider converge network and its long free and fair media as well as capacity in this issue. Mr. Hari Govinda Luitel, the history will be established as a model radio development of journalists. As part of this keynote speaker said that it is appropriate to station for many others. He further added support, JICA Nepal Office has launched a initiate reform measures and development that revising media policy is not an easy new project titled “The Project for Promoting programs in the communications entities task because of its diversity in coverage Peace Building and Democratization like Radio Nepal and raised key elements and involvement of various stakeholders through the Capacity Development of the of the ideal new communication policy but that is the need of the people and JICA Media Sector in Nepal” or simply Media such as guarantee to freedom of expression, is happy to support in this endeavor. for Peace (MeP) Project. The project is priority to democratic values implemented by the Ministry of Information and norms, balance in & Communications (MoIC) and Radio Nepal relevancy and popularity, (RN). The main purpose of the project is to professional competitiveness establish a model of accurate, impartial and in the management, media fair media in the democratization process ethics, special initiatives of Nepal through the revision of media towards inclusiveness, etc. policy, acts, regulations and guidelines and The team leader of MeP, Mr. also enhance the function of Radio Nepal Naoaki Nambu through his as public broadcasting institution. This presentation talked about the was the underlying theme governing the media guidelines of the MeP launch event of the MeP Project held on April 20, 2011. The launch event of MeP Project The launch event was divided into two sessions. The morning session focused on the commencing process of the MeP project and the afternoon session on paper presentations followed by comments and Q&A rounds for the revision and regulation of media policy and transformation of Radio Nepal into Public Service Broadcasting (PSB). The morning session comprised of informational speeches by the Chief Guest, Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Deputy

4 Enhancing Livelihood along the Sindhuli Road Corridor through Agricultural development

ince 1996, the Government of Japan On June 15 2011, the first Steering Committee N S(GoJ) has been supporting the Meeting, which marked the official construction of the 160 km Sindhuli launch of the Study, was held under the Road, which is scheduled to be chairmanship of the Secretary of MoAC. The completed in 2014. In addition to this, short title of the study was also decided as the improvement of the associated road SRCAMP meaning Sindhuli Road Corridor networks through Community Access Agricultural Master Plan. Study Area Improvements Project also funded by the District Boundary District Capital 0 50 100km GoJ is currently in operation and will be The SRCAMP is the three-year project aiming Sindhuli Road completed by the end of 2012. Residents at the formulation of a master plan until SRC area map along the Sindhuli Road as well as that 2020, to promote the High Value Agriculture of the associated road networks expect (HVA) in the SRC area, with target districts of this development to bring about positive Kavre, Dolakha, Ramechap and Sindhuli, as impacts to the area. shown in the map. The Study will be carried out through three phases, i.e. Phase 1 for the The Government of Nepal (GoN) and analyses of current and future situations with The Government of Japan (GoJ) had regard to the potential HVA products and to discussed on how to ensure the benefits develop the draft basic development strategy from these road developments to reach to for SRC area, Phase 2 for the verification the local residents along the Sindhuli Road of the draft basic development strategy Corridor (SRC) and how their livelihoods through carrying out the pilot projects, and can be improved through utilizing this Phase 3 for the adjustment of the strategy by opportunity. Finally, the Ministry of reflecting the lessons learned from pilots and Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC), the formulation of the master plan. The study GoN and JICA reached an agreement on team consists of six Japanese experts who will carrying out ‘the Project for the Master jointly work with Nepali counterparts from Plan Study on High Value Agriculture MoAC throughout the study period, which Extension and Promotion in SRC’, in 2010. is expected to be completed by March 2014. 5 Lessons to be learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake

aizo Nakatani was in his office when that I have acquired in Japan about the ‘buildings destroyed or collapsed’ around 60 Tthe Great East Japan Earthquake earthquake risk reduction. Currently, I percent. This data dates back to 1998. By hit his home country on March 11, 2011. am actively involved in the earthquake now, they say that the deaths and injuries What he did next was the result of years preparedness lessons for the people may be 2.5 times more than estimated as of experience and emergency drills. He around the local area as a member of the in 1998. Talking about high-risk places, immediately activated the operations NSET and briefing knowledge on how to crowded urban areas and landslide areas are center and coordinated the comprehensive reduce earthquake damages based on our typically vulnerable. According to the JICA response efforts of his department, done experiences in Japan. Furthermore, I am Report in 2002, Kathmandu may be unable with natural ease sans panic. studying documents about the present to function as the Capital city. The density, status of initiatives in the earthquake risk land use and structure of the buildings Soon after, Nakatani arrived in Nepal reduction in Nepal and hope that this will are main factors of physical vulnerability. to serve as a Senior Volunteer and help me effectively perform the activities There are compulsory building codes but was assigned in the Earthquake here. If it is possible, I would also like to according to the report of the Nepal Risk Risk Management at Urban and extend my activities to local government Reduction Consortium, implementation Community Based Disaster Risk fields because I have a lot of experience process of the building codes is not that Management Unit of National Society of disaster management in Shizuoka effective and there is lack of enforcement. for Earthquake Technology-Nepal Prefectural Government, Japan. Good Also, the disaster management system (NSET). In Japan, Nakatani had served disaster risk management at the local in Nepal is in the process of formulation. as a disaster management coordinator government level could improve the one The general public does not have enough in the department of Transportation and at the community level. Therefore, both awareness or knowledge of the importance Infrastructure, Shizuoka Prefectural levels are significantly related. It is of preparedness or mitigation. Thus, Nepal Government. He had also been engaged in good that the earthquake management needs to make an extra effort to improve the research and study on both Japanese programs of NSET have significant work the present situation of earthquake disaster and American emergency management to do with Municipalities of Nepal. preparedness. systems. Here, he shares with us his experiences and recommendations: Earthquake Disaster The ‘imminent’ Mega-Earthquake Preparedness in Nepal: Current Work and Objectives and its Impact in Nepal: at NSET: Earthquake preparedness starts from an In 1934, a major earthquake occurred in individual. People tend to think that it is The mission of NSET is to assist all Nepal that caused a lot of devastating the sole responsibility of Government but communities in Nepal by developing and damages. It has already been 78 years one has to remember that it is the combined implementing organized approaches to and the next major earthquake can strike responsibilities of all entities including civil managing and minimizing earthquake anytime in Nepal. The magnitude might be societies, local communities and individuals risks. The vision of NSET is ‘Earthquake expected to be 8 or even higher. In Nepal, to brace up for all kinds of mitigation, Safe Communities in Nepal by 2020.’ One earthquakes of magnitude from 7.5 to 8 preparedness, response and recovery efforts. of the major programs of NSET is to make have occurred about every forty years. Also, It will take time for governmental or outside grass roots communities, schools and the greater ones have occurred about every help for any rescue efforts. Therefore, hospitals earthquake safer. 80 years. I must say the mega-quake is individual and community’s actions for an kind of ‘imminent’ in Nepal. The number of earthquake are very important. One should I was requested by the NSET to introduce ‘deaths’ estimated by NSET may be around be pre-prepared for such situations. This is and share the knowledge and expertise 40,000; ‘injuries’ may be around 95,000 and recommended in Japan as well.

Crowded urban areas are vulnerable to earthquakes in the Kathmandu valley Individual Preparedness: Let us start by to Japan, Nepal does not have a lot of focusing on our residential house. If our disasters but Nepal needs to be prepared houses are non-earthquake resistant, and have proper plans. Preparedness and our families are under highly dangerous Mitigation are both very important for the situation. If we have not fixed the furniture countermeasures to work successfully. to the house, it could also cause serious It is very important that all levels of damages. When earthquake strikes, the Nepali society should take effective remember to ‘Duck, Cover and Hold!’ and efficient steps in preparing for the Second, turn off the fire and electricity. unavoidable disasters. Please visit the Then, evacuate to a pre-identified safe NSET website and educate yourself on open space. These are the basic actions steps of being prepared. we should take when earthquake occurs. Also, family members should know and Efforts from the Government: learn about the course of actions when earthquake strikes. Some of the other The Government of Nepal (GoN) is well safety measures to keep in mind are one aware of the effects of such natural disasters. should always keep several evacuation Nepal needs to have comprehensive disaster routes, store emergency food, water and management systems covering all concerned supplies for at least three days as well entities at various levels of the Nepali 1934 earthquake in Nepal as the required emergency materials. society including government bodies, public Preferably, the entrance door should open corporations, communities, individuals, both sides, if not, then at least towards schools, medical institutes, academic outside. Also, it is good to keep distance societies, business, etc. The GoN is now between windows and beds, sofas, desks going under the process of establishing these etc. especially if the windows’ glasses are systems in closer cooperation with many not laminated. For detailed information, national and international stakeholders. I would like to recommend visiting the I found that NSET has committed for NSET website: www.nset.org.np. coordination among the major stakeholders in Nepal. Master emergency plans of the Public Awareness: concerned authorities should be part of these comprehensive national systems and Well-planned and repeated campaigns and cover all stages of pre, during and post- lessons in communities are the typical way disaster periods. Under these master plans, to educate the general public. The targeted there should be more specific and concrete strategies for communities, schools and action plans to reduce the risks. hospitals are also effective. Therefore, NSET has made a lot of efforts in these There are already good scientific studies fields. National events like ‘National as well as a lot of disaster management Earthquake Safety Day’ could be effective knowledge and expertise in both national as well to re-emphasize the importance of and international institutions. What is being prepared for disasters. For a wider most important is we should use them coverage of the awareness, mass media like efficiently and effectively. To know is one TV, FM, video and daily newspapers could thing and to do is another. be used as well including this newsletter. Also, drills are important methods of Lessons to be learned from the preparing everyone, which give firsthand Great East Japan Earthquake: experience on how to respond when such disasters occur. The Great East Japan Earthquake was a historical mega-quake of 9.0 magnitude, Japan is a land of natural disasters. Every which disastrously affected very wide Nakatani infront of NSET building year, we have casualties and destructions areas in Japan. But one has to note especially during rainy seasons. Our the fact that less than seven percent of department emergency operations deaths were caused by the earthquake center is activated almost every three itself. Ninety three percent of the deaths Thank you: JICA Nepal Office would like days during this time. Emergency drills were actually caused by Tsunami. to sincerely thank you all for are not new to us in Japan. We respond That means the countermeasures for your kind and heartfelt letters of naturally and automatically to these earthquakes efficiently worked although condolence. We greatly appreciate drills, as it has become part of our lives. the countermeasures for Tsunami all the expression of concerns If we conduct periodic drills, the real did not. What we need to learn from we have received. Your prayers earthquake will actually feel like just this is we can significantly minimize and faith on the people of Japan another drill. Frankly speaking, we are the earthquake damages in Nepal by have given us tremendous hope not fond of these drills especially the seriously undertaking appropriate and encouragement during this unannounced ones but it is mandatory measures and actions of the preparedness difficult time. and we understand its value. This is and mitigation because we will never 7 the very reason we are so well prepared have Tsunami in Nepal. This is what I 7 for any actual disasters. Compared would really like to emphasize. JICA trainings offered to government officials from April to June 2011 Course Center Duration No. of Participant Strengthening Management and Business Activities of Agricultural Cooperatives TBIC (JICA TSUKUBA) 8 May -16 July 2011 1 Engineering on Water Supply Systems TIC (JICA Tokyo) 8 May-25 July 2011 1 Seminar on Government Audit for Senior Officials TIC (JICA Tokyo) 30 May-9 June 2011 1 Local Governance TIC (JICA Tokyo) 31 May-16 July 2011 1 Participatory Irrigation Management System for Paddies for Asian Countries(A) SIC (JICA Sapporo) 31 May-22 July 2011 1 Promotion of Hydropower Development TIC (JICA Tokyo) 7 June-7 July 2011 2 Community Capacity and Rural Development Promotion for Asia Countries -One Village One KIC (JICA Kyushu) 12 Jun-2July 2011 2 Product-(A) Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers KIC (JICA Kyushu) 12 June-23 July 2011 3 Workshop on Administration of Environmental and Social Consideration Process for TIC (JICA Tokyo) 19 June- 2 July 2011 2 Implementation of a Japanese ODA Loan Project(A)

Tokyo International Center (TIC) | Tsukuba International Center (TBIC) | Sapporo International Center (SIC) | Kyushi International Center (KIC)

Incoming Experts during the quarter of April to June 2011 Post/ Title Project Expert COMCAP Expert Media for Peace (MeP) Project Expert Media for Peace (MeP) Project Expert Media for Peace (MeP) Project

Incoming Senior Volunteers (SVs) during the quarter of April to June 2011 Field Assigned Office Total No. IncomingManagement Advisor Senior Volunteers duringCouncil for the Technical Quarter Education and of Vocational January Training to (CTEVT), March Bhaktapur 2011 1 Industry Information Management System Federation of Nepal Cottage & Small Industries (NGO), Kathmandu 1 Protected Vegetable Production Central Vegetable Seed Production Center, Lalitpur 1 Pharmaceutical Lecturer School of Pharmaceutical and Bio-medical Sciences, Pokhara University, Kaski 1 Japanese Language, Culture and Moral Education JAAN Information Language and Culture Institute (NGO), Kathmandu 1

Incoming Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) during the quarter of April to June 2011 Field Assigned Office Total No. Early Child Education Mangolday Higher Secondary School, Kathmandu 1 Primary School Adarsha Higher Secondary School (Gajuri Resource Center), Dhadhing; 2 Satyawati Higher Secondary School (Adamtar Resource Center), Dhadhing PC instructor Dhaulagiri Deaf Primary School, Baglung 1 Community Development District Development Committee, Parbat 1 Midwife Panchamel Primary Health Center, Syangja; 2 Syangja District Hospital Nutrition District Health Office, Dhading 1

CONTACTKarmachari Sanchaya Kosh Building, Hariharbhavan Lalitpur Nepal, P.O.Box 450, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-5010310 Fax: 977-1-5010284 Email: [email protected]