September 17: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Pokhara Metropolitan City have agreed to forge cooperation on urban infrastructure development and improved livelihood project. Another area of cooperation between the ADB and Pokhara metropolis is exploring potentials for sustainable tourism development of the city.    
The areas of cooperation were discussed during a meeting between Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhanraj Acharya and Executive Director of ADB Wan Farisan bin Wan Sulaiman.    
The two sides also discussed about upgrading the road security measures along with road and drainage system of the city under the Regional Urban Development Project.    
According to the officials, the ADB is to provide economic assistance to different projects in Pokhara for the projects have already been selected.    
One of them is upgrading the road section from Sahid Chowk to Pokhara International Airport for which the project cost is estimated to be around USD 5.34 million.    
Likewise, 13 kms road would be blacktopped from Damdate to Bhanjyang under the Panchase Ecosystem Development and Access Project.    
Similarly, upgrading the road from Bhanjyang to Panchase area, establishment of service points, integrated promotion of homestay and preservation of Gurung Museum would also be carried out.    
Furthermore, 85 kms long cycle track would be constructed by linking the 18 wards of the metropolitan city.    
Settlement management, water spring protection, setting up information board and direction board and construction of toilets, water fountain, cycle parking and cycle stand with service point would be carried out under the Phewa Lake Improvement Project. Pokhara Metropolitan City has said USD 3.05 million would be spent on this project.    
Similarly, there is a plan for connecting Damsite and Raniban with glassbridge and developing an eco-trail from Raniban connecting the Peace Stupa and the Phewa Lake rim in an integrated way under the Raniban Eco-trail and Phewa Lake Improvement Project. The eco-route would incorporate public amenities including construction of resting places, toilets, taps, installation of information board and temple renovation. It will cost USD 5.63 million. -- RSS