Minister Lamsal for 'paradigm shift' in construction of disaster-resistant structures

Kathmandu, Oct 6: Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal has said that considering the risks posed by climate change, a 'paradigm shift' is needed in policies related to infrastructure construction and urban development.     

In today's meeting of the parliamentary special committee on the impact of climate change, climate justice, and the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli disaster on the mountains under the House of Representatives, he said that the effects of climate change have hit infrastructure the hardest.     

Minister Lamsal emphasized that infrastructure should be built in a disaster-resilient and sustainable way, considering the damage caused by recent floods and landslides.     

He stated that the main challenge right now is 'water management' and expressed the view that high flood levels and the underground water levels should be given special importance in infrastructure development.     

Minister Lamsal said that policies need to be put in place based on the reality that the flow of the river increases over time and causes flooding and damage to infrastructure due to the improper management of debris and other materials that accumulate in the river every year.     

He expressed the view that because about 5 to 10 centimeters of material accumulate annually in the rivers of hilly areas and up to 20 centimeters in the Tarai region, and proper management with a clear strategy has not been done on time, our infrastructure and other structures have now become irrelevant.     

Minister Lamsal mentioned that the current legal system in riverine material management has caused problems in forest and park areas, informing that efforts are being made to establish a legal system to regularly manage the river's flow areas.     

He said that excessive excavation increases river erosion, and if excavation is not done, sediments accumulate and raise the flood level, so both sides need to be managed in a balanced way.