Visiting Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), President, Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka, paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar in his recent visit.

 During the meeting, Dr.Kitaoka handed over the prestigious JICA President Award, which was conferred to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT to Minister Gachhedar.

JICA has selected the Project for Construction of the Sindhuli Road as recipient of the 11th JICA President Award this year because of its great contribution to Nepal’s social development.

The award was jointly conferred to the MoPIT, along with Japanese consultant company, NIPPON KOEI CORPORATION and Japanese construction company, HAZAMA ANDO CORPORATION.

Around 160 kilometers of the Sindhuli Road, also known as B.P.Highway, named after the former Prime Minister, Bishweshar Prasad Koirala, was constructed at the cost of 25 billion Japanese Yen or about 22 billion Nepali Rupees, and is one of the largest Japanese Grant Aid Projects. On 3rd July 2015, Japan handed over the road to the Government of Nepal.

It took two decades to complete the construction of the road, which connects Dhulikhel on the Arniko Highway to Bardibas on the East-West Highway. The Government of Japan adopted environment, topography and eco-friendly technology while constructing this road.

After completion of the Sindhuli Road, the materialization of this project has not only provided easy access for people residing in villages alongside the road corridor to public services, such as schools and hospitals, but also has promoted many kinds of industries such as agriculture, construction, tourism and so on, and has ensured an overall benefit to the people of Nepal. This project may be taken as a milestone as it has virtually changed the socio-economic development of the entire region and its neighboring districts.

According to a press release issued by Japanese Embassy, the JICA President Award is given either to an individual or an organization that is associated with JICA and whose contribution in the field of development is recognized to be of immense significance in development of society and raising the value of international cooperation of Japan.