April 5: The government has prepared guidelines to allow infrastructure projects and essential food industries to resume their operations. The guidelines were formulated jointly by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.   “After the government issues the guidelines, national-level development projects industries producing essential goods including food items and construction materials can resume their operations,” said Narayan Prashad Bidari, member secretary of the committee. A meeting of the High-level Coordination Committee for the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 held on April 2 (Thursday), had decided to allow certain industries and development projects to continue operations.

As per the guidelines, industries are required to deploy protective measures for the workers, maintain distance among people at the workplaces, use sanitisers and monitor the body temperature of staffs on a regular basis.

The guidelines have strictly barred movement of workers and staffers to and from the factories and project sites, said Bidari.

The government has asked the project chiefs to submit it with proposals on how the projects can be continued.  Construction of most of the large projects have come to a standstill after the government announced nation-wide lockdown on March 24 to stop the possible spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Shyam Prashad Kharel, chief of Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel road, first tunnel road of Nepal said that he will ask the engineers and consultants to prepare a proposal regarding the continuity of the construction of the project.  According to him, the preparation has been done for smooth supply of construction materials including sand, gravel and cement and protection measures during the work.

Likewise, Tiresh Prashad Khatri, executive director of Melamchi Drinking Water Supply Project said that they have not been able to work actively after the start of the lockdown.  “Around 300 workers were mobilised earlier. But now only 50-60 workers are working,” Khatri informed. “We also can’t bring other workers immediately.”  The government’s latest decision has also eased transportation and supply of construction materials. 

Similarly, chief of Pokhara Regional and International Airport Binesh Munankarmi said that 270 Chinese and 100 Nepali workers are currently handling the construction work of the project.  However, there are some hindrances due to lack of construction materials. “We are not able to bring construction materials from India and China,” Munankarmi mentioned. “The shipment of cement from India has been stucked and containers with construction materials are stuck at Kerung.” Nevertheless, 56 percent of construction work has already been completed, he said.

Though there are 1,100 workers working at the site of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, many workers are not psychologically prepared to work. “The situation is very critical. So, we have been working to make the environment friendly and protective for the workers. We are preparing to implement health and safety measures at the project site,” informed Bigyan Prasad Shrestha, CEO of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited.