The Ministry of Finance has approved a budget of Rs 18.88 billion for the reconstruction of 26 infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges, damaged by the floods and landslides that occurred in mid-September.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel approved the funding for the reconstruction on Tuesday, following a request from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on February 16.

Of the 26 projects, 13 are related to road reconstruction and 13 are related to bridge reconstruction. The road reconstruction projects include works on the BP Highway, Mechi Highway, Araniko Highway, and Kanti Highway.

Similarly, the finance ministry has also given its consent to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to set up a temporary office and set up its offices to proceed with the reconstruction of structures damaged by the Jajarkot earthquake.