Nepal Transportation & Development Research Centre (NTDRC)

Background

The Nepal Transportation and Development Research Centre (NTDRC) is the spin off non-profit company which has its roots in the Nepal Engineering College (NEC). Two pioneers - Dr Chandra Bahadur Shrestha and Late Prof. Deepak Bhattarai, the NEC's founding principal envisioned that research and academic programmes have to march hand in hand. Such a symbiotic relation not only nourishes academic programme but also underpins the industry sophistically. At present, the NTDRC has expanded such mutualistic relationship not only with NEC but also with other relevant academic and professional organisations. Mr. Naresh Kumar Shrestha was one of the promoters of this flagship initiative. Other prominent personalities such as Mr. Madan Gopal Maleku, the former Director General of the Department of Roads (DoR) and Dr. Padma Shahi, the academician and professional in the transportation engineering field also joined the wagan later. More lately, our current Managing Director Mr. Ram Chandra Shrestha joined NTDRC after retiring from the Government of Nepal as Joint Secretary.

Our Dreams

After dedicating decades in national development, we realized that only transport sector can catalyze growth and prosperity. In order to kick off national and international discourse towards sustainable transport system, we waded in a MSc program in the transportation engineering and established the Nepal Transportation and Development Research Centre (NTDRC). The objective was to create synergistic environment between the academic program and research endeavor. The twin initiatives were bred in the womb of the Nepal Engineering College (NEC). Consequently, both NTDRC and NEC executed a number of research initiatives, undertook capacity development interventions which culminated to an international conference in the integrated transport system. However, for allowing further growth, NTDRC was nurtured as an independent institute which at present acts of its own independently.

What we can offer to society?

The crux of the problem persists in Nepal and other developing countries is that the infrastructural sectors have been handled in isolation. Such isolated approach fails to address root causes of underdevelopment and deters progress and prosperity. We not only offer solutions which are economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable but also connect infrastructure with economic and social sectors creating ground for opulent society. We are group of proven planners and engineers who designed and implemented infrastructure projects successfully in the adverse socio-political environment. Some of us came through government channel others through bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental routes. Such a blending of expertise has yielded outcomes that surpasses expectation of our employers. We enjoy a network of national and international organizations and boffins which enables us to draw expertise and learn from their successes and failures. The recipient institutions have appreciated our inputs whole heartedly. Neutrality in our code of conduct and professionalism have been our assets which allow us to work for the cause irrespective of the politically volatile environment

Objectives

To organize conferences, seminars and workshops on various transport and development issues.
To collect best practices around the world and act as knowledge repository.
To liaise closely with national transport related organizations.
To act as a resource center for government, donors, academic institutions and general public.
To initiate national debates in the transport and developmental issues.
To promote a “think tank” in the transportation sector.
To publish research studies, proceedings and other publications.
To contribute in local, provincial and regional development planning and capacity development programs.

Our Expertise

We have specific expertise in the areas of:

Transportation planning and management
Transportation and development policies and strategies
Environmental studies
Social inclusion and governance
Project design including DPR preparation
Consulting service for project implementation, civil procurement and construction supervision
Transport services
Monitoring and evaluation including technical and financial audit
Infrastructure for promoting tourism
Regional development planning and Local Governance

International Linkages

Via Storia – Switzerland – a specialist organization on historical trails
Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)

Executed Projects

International Conference on Sustainable Development of Transport Systems

The first president of Nepal His Excellency Ram Baran Yadav gracefully inaugurated the International Conference on Sustainable Development of Transport System, October 19-22, 2011 at Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu. The conference dealt with financing on transport infrastructure, resettlement, traffic congestion and road safety. In addition, the conference also deliberated interlinkages between transportation and climate change.

Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL)-Himalayan Heritage Routes, ICIMOD

The Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL) – covering Tibetan Southwestern part and adjacent Nepalese and Indian territories – is considered as a “Cultural Hotspot”, with a deep and rich cultural diversity is threatened by climate change induced poverty. The greater Mt. Kailash area represents a sacred landscape significant to over a billion people in Asia and around the globe, and considered holy by at least five religions, including Hindu, Buddhist, Bon Po, Jain, and Sikh. The accelerated environmental degradation has endangered the cultural diversity which has to be paused and reversed. The sustainable tourism could be a reasonable answer to alter the plight. The international best practices has revealed that the heritage routes have a great potential for attracting tourism for which ICIMOD invited Via - Storia - a Swiss agency with proven track record of conserving heritage trails. NTDRC was trusted as a local partner.

National seminar on Traffic Safety

National road safety is a critical policy area. Road conditions, driver behavior, vehicle conditions and operating practices all contribute to accidents, requiring greater policy attention to reduce the social and economic cost, injury and death. The number of accidents increased from 3,823 in 2001/02 to 4770 in 2012/13. Out of total road accidents in Nepal, Kathmandu Valley’s share reached to 57% in 2010/11. Most of the accidents (79.04%) occurred owing to driver's negligence followed by high speed (9.87%), drunken driving (4.95%), vehicle condition (2.54% and overtaking (2.33%). Against this context, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Transport (MOPIT) prepared a Road Safety Action Plan which needs to be operationalized. The main objective of the seminar was to elucidate Government of Nepal’s Road Safety Action Plan. Identification of interested donors and partners in the field of road safety was another objective. Launching a 'Road Safety Unit" was another intent. The RSU was intended to kick off discourse in road safety which may ultimately culminate into refining existing strategies and policies and developing new if required.

Technical Training for RAIDP’s Engineers

Rural Access Improvement and Decentralization Project (RAIDP) was one of the World Bank funded rural road projects covering 30 districts of the country. The construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of district roads were the principal components. DDCs were implementing bodies and the District Technical Offices (DTOs) were trusted for quality assurance. Considering the nature of the responsibility, the enhancement of DTO/RAIDP engineers' technical capacity was indispensable. Setting road alignments, designing geometry and structures including bridges were other principal responsibilities of DTOs for which they required hands on skills.

Workshop on designing, constructing and maintaining motorable Bridges

NTDRC trained engineers of the Department of Roads (DoR) with financial support from the World Bank. The purpose was to prepare engineers for the upcoming bridge improvement and maintenance project (BIMP). BIMP intended to ensure uninterrupted traffic movement along Nepal's Strategic Roads Network through effective maintenance and rehabilitation of large bridges. The bridge policy was informed by the international best practices and Bridge Management System (BMS) was rolled out. About 500 DoR engineers, consultants and contractors were trained on bridge technology, dispute resolution, quality assurance and e-bidding. All training programmes except e-bidding and contract management were conducted in Kathmandu. Training on e-bidding and contract management were organized in Pokhara, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj and Dhanghadi. Two training programmes on e-bidding were organized in Kathmandu.

Training on e-submission and contract management

NTDRC conducted training programs on e-bidding and contract management in Kathmandu. Pokhara, Biratnagar, Hetauda, Nepalgunj and Dhanghadi. Ensuring free competition in the construction sector was the primary objective of e-bidding.

Training on Contract Administration and Dispute Management

Disputes between employer and contractors are the primary causes for delays resulting additional costs. Enhancing DoR engineers' capacity for resolving problems was the major focus of this intervention.

Technical and Lab training to the local level Engineers and Lab Technician

Lab technicians and engineers of the local bodies need to be up to the speed for quality assurance. Formulating Policies, reforming governance, ensuring efficient service delivery, empowering citizens were the primary focus. The Trainings were conducted all seven provinces and covers 77 districts local levels.

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