KATHMANDU: The Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee (SDGGC) of the National Assembly has directed the Ministry of Health and Population to provide COVID-19 vaccines to workers of the national pride projects.

The Committee made the direction after it took stock of the progress and challenges facing the under-construction Nagdhunga tunnel project. During the talk, project director Naresh Man Shakya told that the project was previously affected after 86 workers, including from foreign countries, tested positive.

“Now 600 workers are at work. They need to be vaccinated against the infection,” he said. So far, 15.9 percent construction work of the project has been completed. The Committee has also decided to carry out a field inspection of the project in some days.

The meeting also decided to draw the attention of the Ministry of Finance in releasing enough budget for the project and disagreements relating to the value-added tax, said the Committee President Tara Devi Bhatta. It directed the concerned sector to record progress and all details of the project on the website of the Department.

Earlier, Road Department Director-General Arjun Jung Thapa apprised the meeting of the whole situation of the project and progress of road construction of the country. The deadline for completing the 2.69 kilometers project is four years. Its estimated cost is Rs 16 billion.