Construction has started on a health post in Bijayanagar Rural Municipality of Kapilvastu district in Nepal’s Lumbini Province. The project is receiving grant aid from the Government of India, according to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. The health facility, funded by approximately NPR 17.5 million under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme, had its foundation stone laid jointly by Gopal Bahadur Thapa Magar, Chairman of the rural municipality, and Garima Nautiyal, Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy.
Local stakeholders and representatives have expressed gratitude for India’s financial support and anticipate improved healthcare access for residents once the health post is operational. The Indian Embassy highlighted the longstanding cooperation between India and Nepal in various sectors, emphasizing the significance of the HICDP program in supporting Nepal’s development initiatives. The HICDP initiative, previously known as Small Development Projects, focuses on small-scale infrastructure and community-based projects in Nepal, covering sectors like health, education, water supply, sanitation, electrification, and more.
The HICDP program, a crucial aspect of the India-Nepal development partnership, aims to enhance grassroots development efforts throughout Nepal. Notably, a recent agreement in January 2024 raised the financial assistance limit from NPR 5 million to NPR 20 million per project, marking a significant advancement in bilateral cooperation.
