Decentralized Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood Project (DRILP) – Phase III

The Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR) estimates that there are 50,943 kms of local roads in Nepal.

The recent earthquakes of 25^th April and 12^th May 2015 affected as many as 8 million people. Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) reports 8,790 casualties and 22,300 injuries. It also report damages to 4,400 kms of local roads mainly due to the landslides triggered by the earthquake. These roads are further deteriorated by soil erosions followed by heavy monsoon rains.

The ADB has recently approved its Emergency Earthquake Assistance Project (EEAP) amounting to USD 200[1] million (CHF 192 mio) , out of which, USD 50 mio (CHF48 mio) is allocated for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of local roads in 12 earthquake affected districts. Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) has been requested by the Government of Nepal (GoN) and ADB to extend the existing TA to support the implementation of reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged District Road Core Network (DRCN) roads in 12 districts through the DRILP platform provided by DRILP.

[1] 1 USD = 0.96 CHF ( Exchange rate for the month of October 2015)

The programme’s goal is to contribute towards accelerated economic and social recovery in Nepal’s earthquake affected districts.

450’000 people[1] including DAGs living in the Zone of Influence (ZoI) of the roads

[1]     On an average, a total of 1000 people/km of zone of influence of the motorable roads in the districts will benefit from improved access to services and opportunities.

Critical economic and social services resumed for the affected population with operation of disaster-resilient local roads and trails in the 12 earthquake affected districts.

Expected results:  

• 450 kms of damaged roads are reconstructed or rehabilitated;
• 200 kms of main trails are reconstructed or rehabilitated;
• 2.0[1] mio person days of employment created at local level; and
• At least 20% of those employed will be women

[1] 20% of CHF 50 million which is equivalent to NRs.1.5 billion will go to labour costs on reconstruction/rehabilitaion of damaged roads through build back better approach. This will generate additional 3 million person days of work @ wage rate of NRs. 500/day. 

Results from previous phases:  

• 50% increase in per capita incomes of the households living along the Zone of Influence (ZoI) of roads.
• 5.3 million person days of employment generated out of which 55% (2.9 million person days) went to Disadvantaged Groups (DAGs).
• Freight volume in the ZoI increased by 100 % after roads were made operational.
• Over 616 kms of roads were constructed and rehabilitated.
• About 707 kms of roads were regularly maintained for vehicle pliability.

Lack of maintenance remains a major issue in local roads sector, which needs to be addressed by establishing a planned maintenance system in the districts.

Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), DoLIDAR and 12 partner districts

Local Roads Improvement Programme (LRIP) I, Local Roads Bridge Programme (LRBP) I (for river crossing structures and motorable bridges), Trail Bridge Sub-Sector Programme (TBSSP) IV (for trails and trail bridges), other transport sector projects of GoN