Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development

Department of Local Infrastructure Development & Agriculture Roads

Rural Access Programme (RAP3)

Review, Update and Compilation

of
Work Norms and Technical
Specification
for
DoLIDAR

August 2014

i
 Table of Contents

Volume I
1.  INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................1 
1.1  Background ................................................................................................................ 1 
1.2  Objective of the study ................................................................................................ 2 
1.3  Scope of Work ........................................................................................................... 2 
2.  METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................................................4 

3.  REVIEW OF THE EXISTING NORMS AND SPECIFICATION ............................4 

3.1  Collection of Existing Norms and Specification ....................................................... 4 
3.2   Collection, Study and Review of Documents ............................................................ 4 
3.3  Comparison of Existing Norms ................................................................................. 5 
4.  MEETING WITH THE CLIENT AND OTHERS .......................................................6 
4.1  Rural Road Related Issues .......................................................................................6 
5.  DRAFT/ FINAL REPORT..............................................................................................6 

6.  FINDINGS ........................................................................................................................7 

6.2  Recommendation ....................................................................................................... 8 
7.  Reference ........................................................................................................................10 

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 Acknowledgement
This study report on the ‘Study, Revision and Updating of Technical Specification and
Work Norms for Labour & equipment Based Construction Work of Agricultural and
Rural Roads as well as inclusion of new norms and specification of all sectors such as Roads
,water supply, Buildings, Irrigation, Bridge & Suspension “ is an outcome of an agreement
between RTISWap of DoLIDAR and Er.Kishor Shakya

During the course of study I have undertaken a vigorous and intensive study of all related
norms and specifications prepared for all infrastructure development in Nepal by different
Departments under respective Ministries of Government of Nepal. I also have interacted with
Senior Engineers of Department Of Local Infrastructure Development and Agriculture Roads
(DoLIDAR), Departments of Roads (DoR); Department of Irrigation (DoI); Department of
Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS); Department of Urban Development and Building
Construction (DUDBC) and other relevant organizations and collected their views for
making the output of this study fruitful, realistic and more practical with logical values
derived from the field works.

I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to DoLIDAR and DTO Engineers, Senior
Engineers of DoR; DOI; DWSS and other organizations for providing their valuable time and
suggestions for preparation of this report.

I would also like to thank Senior members of DoLIDAR, Mr. B Upadhayaya (DG); Mr. R K
Sapkota (DDG); Mr. J K Shrestha (DDG); Mr. G B Basnet (SDE); Mr U S Shah (SDE); Mr.
M Bhattrai (SDE); Mr. T P Pant (SDE); Mr. K B Katuwal (SDE) and Mr. S P Pandit (SDE)
in providing their valuable suggestions in preparation of this report. My sincere thanks goes
to Er.M K Shrestha; Er D P Sitaula and Er L B D Shrestha from RTI SWAp; RAP3
programme for their valuable suggestions and guideline for this study.

I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to SDE Mr. G.B.Basnet for providing guidance and
valuable suggestions during the study period of this study. We would like to express heartfelt
gratitude to Director General Mr. B. Upadhayaya for giving us the opportunity to perform
this kind of highly technical and responsible job of DoLIDAR. Lastly, I would like to thank
team members of the study group (Er Sudarshan Lal Shrestha; Er. Rabindra Dawadi and Er.
Amrit Acharya) for their hard work and serious devotion without which this report would
have not been completed.

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 Executive Summary
Department of Rural Access and Agriculture Roads (DoLIDAR) has been working in seven
sectors of Infrastructure Development Works: i) Local Transportation, ii) Housing Building
and Urban Development, iii) Water Supply and Sanitation, iv) Small Irrigation and River
Control, v) Micro Hydro and Alternative Energy, vi) Solid Waste Management, and vii)
Social Infrastructure. DoLIDAR, is providing service in the rural and interior/remote area of
the country in 75 districts by carrying out all civil engineering infrastructures works as listed
above through respective District Development Committee supported by District Technical
Offices.
At present, DoLIDAR is using its ‘Technical Specification’ and ‘Work Norms’ published in
1999 (2055 B.S), which is purely labour based construction work for Agricultural and Rural
Roads and borrowing the specification and work norms from respective departments of GoN
for the infrastructure development works other than roads.
Department of Rural Access and Agriculture Roads (DoLIDAR) in co-ordination with Rural
Access Program 3 (RAP3) supported by Department for International Development (DFID)
has initiated to review, compile and compare the norms and specification required for the
construction of all the infrastructure development work developed by seven sectorial
development departments of Government of Nepal.
Collection of available norms and specifications from the respective departments is made and
reviewed and compiled herewith in this report. Comparison of norms prepared by DoLIDAR
is made with DoR norms and DoLIDAR norms are updated accordingly. Pros and corns of
the existing DoLIDAR norms are detailed in the findings with justifications for the updated
work norms as per the present practice in this report. Some new norms for the item of works
as, Otta seal; Providing and laying geo-textile; Landslide Clearance; Maintenance of Road;
Gabion structure using machine made gabion crate and earthwork with the use of heavy
equipment’s are provided in this report. Similarly specification for the item of works for
Providing and laying geo-textile; Maintenance of Road; and Gabion structure using machine
made gabion crate are also provided in this report.
Recommended is made to use the norms updated in this report for the existing norms for
which justifications are made for each and every item of works. Similarly it is recommended
to follow the guideline made in Road Maintenance Guideline prepared by RAP3 for the
routine maintenance of rural roads. As this method for routine maintenance work is under
study and in experimental operation by different programmes. This will eventually help to
develop the routine maintenance work norms for the rural road maintenance which will be the
practical representation developed from the field work.

iv
1. INTRODUCTION

Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR) under the
Ministry of Federal Affairs & Local Development (MoFALD) has engaged me to carry out the study,
revision and updating of Technical Specification and Work Norms for Labour-Based & Equipment
based Construction Work for Agricultural and Rural Roads. The work has been carried out in close
contact with and guidance from DoLIDAR. This Draft/ Final Report addressing the detailed study,
revision and updating of both technical specification and work norms for labour-based & Equipment
based Construction work for Agricultural and Rural Roads including other norms and specification
for local infrastructure of rural areas such as Roads, Building, Bridge, water supply, and irrigation.

1.1 Background

The Norms for Rate Analysis for Construction Works, 2041 is the first and foremost norms developed
and published by the then Ministry of Physical Planning and works which was in use in all
Departments under different Ministries of Government of Nepal to carry out the construction for all
the infrastructure development works. The norms developed in B.S 2041 is based on and comply with
the Standard Specification for Roads and Bridge Works published in 1973 AD ( 2030 B.S) which was
revised and upgraded in B.S 2058 ( AD). This norms was revised twice; first in B.S 2046 and second
in B.S 2050 by Ministry of Physical Planning and Ministry of Water Resource respectively. After the
revision of the norms developed in 2041 twice it was realized that further development of the norms
and specification are required for the specific civil construction works that were carried out by
different departments to provide respective service to the people through infrastructure development
within the country. Considering the 2041 Norms as the key norms for common activities of civil
engineering works all the Departments under respective Ministry developed their own norms and
Specification separately for their specific nature and specialized works. Keeping in view of the above
requirements all the Departments under the respective Ministry of Government of Nepal who are
involved in infrastructure development works developed their own specification as well as norms as
per their requirements for construction of civil works. As the result of that Department of Roads has
developed and published ‘Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Works’ in 2058 and produced
‘Norms for Rate Analysis’ in 2065; Department of Irrigation published English version of main
norms (i.e. construction norms,2041) which was revised in 2050 with some additional item which are
specific for the construction of works related to irrigation purposes, e.g tube well drilling in
unconsolidated formation; similarly Department of Urban Development and Building Construction
has developed and published ‘Specification of Building Construction (Civil) Works’ and norms in
2069 covering additional activities such as doors and windows for building construction works.

DoLIDAR with the assistance from ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK through International Labour
Organisation (ILO) has prepared ‘Technical Specification’ and‘Work Norms’ and published in 1999
(2055 B.S). which is prepared for labour based construction work for Agricultural and Rural Roads.
As per GoN declaration, DoLIDAR has been working in seven sectors of Infrastructure Development
Works: i) Local Transportation, ii) Housing Building and Urban Development, iii) Water Supply and
Sanitation, iv) Small Irrigation and River Control, v) Micro Hydro and Alternative Energy, vi) Solid
Waste Management, and vii) Social Infrastructure. DoLIDAR, is providing service in the rural and
interior/remote area of the country in 75 districts by carrying out all civil engineering infrastructures
works as listed above through respective District Development Committee supported by District
Technical Offices.

Nepal Road Sector Assessment Study 2012 has raised a key issue that DoLIDAR norms have been
regularly disputed and challenged as they are applied in different projects and programmes. Due to
massive use of heavy equipment for construction works and lack of proper norms for the same, it
became a source for malpractices at the district level in construction works. As a result, many districts
have their own set of ‘informal norms’ which are based on purely individual perceptions of the
productivity levels and often decision were made in a certain ‘percentage’ of the labour/manpower

1
based cost. It also stated that there are some gaps in specification that influences on the specified
quality of works through Users’ group using hand tools and contractor using machine for activities
like compaction etc. Similarly, there are gaps of non-coverage for new construction materials and
adopting new technologies, particularly to meet new emerging standards. Based on the above ground,
RTI SWAp RAP3 Frame Work Document has recommended to “Develop specification and norms on
labour based technology (LBT) construction approach incorporating heavy equipment”. It is also
stated that this should be supported by action research to assess productivity levels particularly for
heavy machines.
As per RTI SWAp RAP3 Framework Document recommendation for technical harmonization,
DoLIDAR has recently revised Rural Road Standard with the assistance of RTI SECTOR
Maintenance Pilot Project which was published in January 2013. Most of the design parameters have
revised and changed the standards e.g. design speed, road width, gradient, etc. Therefore, specification
and norms need to be reviewed and upgraded with changed standard.

In present practice, DoLIDAR has been using sectorial norms and specification developed and
published by relevant departments, main norms of 2041 with subsequent revision of norms and
specification published by the DoLIDAR for labour based construction work of Agricultural and
Rural Roads. Although many studies were conducted by DoLIDAR on norms and specification, for
comprehensive review and update of existing norms, with attention to incorporate the uses of heavy
equipment and compilation of norms of different sectors has not been carried out. However;
DoLIDAR initiated to take over the responsibility to furnish reviewing the existing norms, by
incorporating norms for road maintenance, use of machine for earthwork excavation and compilation
of norms and specification prepared by different Departments.

The assignment can be done in two ways: one option could be to follow proper action research
method to find out the norms based on experimental data and another option could be to generalize
norms based on existing practices carrying out in different projects and programme and to follow up
by quick field check for a selected activities. First option is the best approach but the negative side of
it is that it requires longer period to furnish the job, which may take 1 to 2 years. Whereas, second
option is the simplest one and can perform within reasonable time period. On the other hand this
approach should work well for provisional type of norms preparation and simultaneously can also
address the urgency of DoLIDAR. In fact, specification and norms revision are continuous process;
next revision can be carried out based on action research method to refine the provisional norms.

1.2 Objective of the study

The main objective of this assignment is to establish and compile complete set of specification and
norms of all relevant sectors in a single folder to maintain uniformity for effective and efficient works.
The other specific objectives are as follows:
i. For common activities, eliminate or clarify the duplication of specifications and norms
produced by different sectorial agencies.
ii. Establish and compile the road maintenance specification and norms
iii. Establish and compile the machine norms and specification for road works excavation.

1.3 Scope of Work

The scope of work to be carried out by the consultant team includes but may not be limited to the
following.

Desk study: A desk study should be carried out collecting relevant existing norms and
specifications used by different sectorial agencies within and outside the country, which might be
relevant with these assignments.

2
 • The Consultants review the existing documents; reconfirm the gaps highlighted by
previous studies. Review the trend of norms and specification development in
DoLIDAR and in other sectorial agencies.
• Review whether available norms and specification are adequate to meet the scope of
works required for all seven sectors, which has been looked after by DoLIDAR.
• Review the approaches outline in ToR and develop the methodology to obtain the set
objective.
• A desk study report will be prepared and submitted, highlighting the findings and
proposed methodology with work schedule.

Establishment of Machine norms for Earth Works Excavation

• The consultant will propose simple quick method to establish provisional machine
norms, considering urgency to avoid duplications and misappropriations of works being
reported in many instances due to lack of machine norms.
• Collect different norms, method of measurement and specification have been practicing
by different projects, DDCs/DTOs and other sectorial agencies e.g. Mid Hill Highway
Project of DoR.
• Analyse the above practices, generalise the ad- hoc norms in uses and develop suitable
norms and method of measurement for designed specification to suit the DoLIDAR’s
works standard.
• To gain confident on the established norms; selects at least one suitable on-going project
and work for each activities, where these norms can be quickly verified at field.
Validate the accuracy, suitability and workability of established norms; method of
measurement and if needed re-adjust and refine to fit with designed specification.
• Submit Draft Report

Establishment of Road Maintenance Norms and Specification

• Collect data and specification that have been utilised in different type of road
maintenance from relevant projects including RTI SECTOR Maintenance pilot
(SWAp), DoLIDAR and other sectorial agencies
• Collect feedback from different stakeholders about required work activities for road
maintenance and modality to be followed.
• Review the existing norms, specification and practices of maintenance in DoLIDAR and
in other sectorial agencies. Find out and propose relevant work activities required for
different types of road maintenance in LRN sector especially for earthen, gravel and
black topped roads.
• Analyse available data and feedback from different projects; develop relevant norms
and specification for implementation of different type of road works activities required
for maintenance.
• Submit Draft Report

Compilation of different sectorial Norms and Specification:

• Identify the works activities required to implement seven different sectors under
DoLIDAR based on existing sectorial norms and specification developed and published
by concerns authorities such as Department of Roads, Irrigation; water supply; Housing
etc.
• Analyse whether existing specification of work activities are relevant and sufficient to
implement seven different sectors of DoLIDAR.
• Identify whether there are any common norms and specification among different
sectorial documents. In case of duplication and confusion on items, analyse the items,
clarify and recommend the proper norms and specification to be referred by DoLIDAR.

3
 If there are duplicating norms and specification and are intended to use in different
conditions then those norms and specification should be clarified with proper notes
against each item and also should refer appropriate conditions of uses. For example
norm for ordinary soil excavation in case of DoLIDAR and DoR norms.
• If there is a shortfall of specifications of any items, then consultant shall develop the
appropriate specification and append with main volume.
• While selecting and establishing norms and specifications some of the factors like
environmental protection, climate changes and recently upgraded or revised ‘Rural
Road Standard’ shall be considered.
• Specifications and norms revisions are the continuous process, in practices it is observed
that after every 4 to 5 years norms have been updated by concerns authorities. Hence,
every sectorial norms compiled in a single folder should be tied up with main sources,
so that any update or revision at main sources will be automatically superseded the
existing norms and specification.
• Submit Draft Report

Reporting and coordination

The consultant will report to RTI SECTOR Maintenance Pilot and upon consultant’s request RTI
SECTOR Maintenance Pilot will arrange technical committee meeting at different stages after
achievement of each milestone. The consultant will present their finding and progress in technical
committee meeting. Technical committee will provide feedback, guidance on the draft norms and
specification.

2. METHODOLOGY

The sequence activities carried out during the study period are describe as fellows

• Collection of relevant specification and work norms from concern line agencies, development
partners and others.
• Detail review of collected materials.
• Meeting with Client and interaction with related agencies and professionals.
• Detail analysis of the work item norms.
• Review meeting with the Client and experts.
• Review on findings considering issues raised during the discussion.
• Recommendation on updating of norms and specification

3. REVIEW OF THE EXISTING NORMS AND SPECIFICATION

3.1 Collection of Existing Norms and Specification

The Consultant collected all norms used by the different line agencies including DoLIDAR. The
Consultant also studied norms and specification prepared by different line agencies of GoN,
development partners and related stakeholders involved in rural infrastructure development.

3.2 Collection, Study and Review of Documents

The Consultant reviewed and studied the "Work Norms” and "Technical Specifications” for Labour-
based Construction Works of Agricultural and Rural Roads" published by Government of Nepal,
Ministry of Federal Affairs & Local Development, DoLIDAR. Also carried out the studied and
reviewed the specifications used by various line agencies of GoN (such as Department of Irrigation,

4
Department of Water Supply and Sewerage, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed
Management, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction). The above line
agencies generally follow work norms and specification 2041 revised in 2046 and 2050 developed by
Ministry of Works and Transport (at present Ministry of Physical Planning and Works). The
Consultant had also studied available guidelines and manuals prepared for rural infrastructure
developed by INGOs and Donor Agencies involved in the Development works in Nepal. The
Consultant had made interaction with some of the DTOs, donor agencies and officials of Line
Agencies of the Nepal Government to obtain their feedbacks for improvement and upgrading of work
norms and specification.

Following are the Norms and Specifications publisded by different line agencies which are studied
and reviewed during the study period by the Consultant.

1. Work Norms Vol I to V: Survey, Design, Construction Transportation of Materials, Bio-

Engineering Feb 1998 published by DoLIDAR.
2. Nepal Rural Roads Standard 2055 first Revision 2069 published by DoLIDAR.
3. Technical Specification for agricultural and rural roads Feb 1998 (vol1 to 17) published by
DoLIDAR.
4. Department of Water Supply and Sewerage norms (community based rural water supply
scheme), 2002 published by DWSS.
5. Bridge Norms in hilly and Terai Design Standard and TOR published by RRRSDP.
6. Standard Specification for Roads & Bridges (Yellow Book) 2058 published by DoR.
7. Technical Specification in Tender Document published by DolIDAR, SBD Section.
8. Technical Specification in Standard Tender Document for NCB for Long Span Trail Bridge
through construction Turnkey Package published by DolIDAR, SBD Section.
9. Code: NBC 000 to 208 published by DUDBC.
10. Specification: Specification of Building Construction (Civil Works) published by DUDBC.
11. Specification of Energy Meter for Micro Hydro Project Sep 2010 published by AEPC.
12. Technical Specification for Solar Dryer & Cooker Jan 2013 published by AEPC.
13. Civil Norms published by DOI, 2002
14. Work Directives for Construction in Water Induced Disaster Related community Works, 2069
(Nepali) published by MoI.
15. Design Guidelines for community based community based Rural Water Supply Schemes
2002 (vol 1 to 12) published by DWSS.

3.3 Comparison of Existing Norms

The Consultant thoroughly studied and reviewed various norms and specification. Labour requirement
adopted are compared during the analysis.

The norms used by DoLIDAR, and DoR for road works, are presented in comparative chart (for
various work items) to identify the difference in labour and material quantities. Basically following
norms are compared during the analysis stage:

• DoLIDAR norms developed in 1999.

• DoR Standard Norms 2041, Ministry of Works and Transport with subsequent revision made in
2060.

Comparative analysis between DoLIDAR Norms (1998) and DoR Norms is presented in
Annex 3.

5
4. MEETING WITH THE CLIENT AND OTHERS

Issues Raised in field

A numbers of meeting were organized with Client “DoLIDAR planning section and RTI SWAp
RAP3”, in different phase during the study period. Discussions were made for the further step to be
carried out for the study. Issues and suggestions were made during the meeting which are listed below
and the consultant had tried to incorporate the issues/suggestions in this report. During the meeting
Consultant was advised to include all necessary work item in the norms and specifications regarding
Rural Roads construction and maintenance. For other nature of infrastructure development works it
was suggested to compile the Norms and Specifications developed by respective Departments of GoN
in a combined folder with organization wise separators.

4.1 Rural Road Related Issues

List of other work items to be incorporated in rural road works

• Norms for survey and design of roads
• Landslide clearance
• Geo-textile
• Road pavement works (Otta Seal).
• Routine maintenance of roads and bridges

List of norms included in DoLIDAR norms but requiring reviewed

• Earthwork excavation
• Gabion structure
• Road pavement works
• Hard rock excavation

5. DRAFT/ FINAL REPORT

The Consultant prepared and submitted the draft report on the study on 3rd Oct 2013, incorporating the
followings:
• Relevant work norms and Specification of DoLIDAR; DOR; DOI; DUDBC; AEPC; DWSS.
All useful work item norms used by other related line agencies should be included.
• Persons and documents consulted or referred should be provided as reference.
• Cover page and table of comment should be corrected.
• Nothing has been mentioned about specifications on the work item norms, which are
recommended for updating and addition.

On 23rd July,2014 a presentation was made by the Consultant to prepare the final draft report to the
Norms preparation committee. The comments and suggestions made during the discussion during and
after presentation are incorporated in this repost. Summery of the suggestion and comments are
presented in Annex-A

A workshop was organized on 8th August, 2014 to present the final draft of the report and collect the
views, suggestions and comments from the participants. The suggestions and comments made during
the workshop are carefully dealt and incorporated in this report. The details of workshop is presented
in Annex-B

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6. FINDINGS

At present the norms developed by DoLIDAR have not incorporated all the works required
for the construction of infrastructure development works. Though it is in practice that
DoLIDAR is using the Norms and Specifications of respective Departments for respective
development work as and when required. The present Norms and Specification developed by
DoLIDAR is mainly focused for construction of Rural Roads. For some small irrigation
projects DoLIDAR has developed its own Norms and Specification which is approved by the
GoN.

The Norms developed by different Departments have some differences in some of the items
of works in manpower and material quantities which are common for the construction of
infrastructures such as Earth work in excavation, RCC/PCC works, Gabion and Random
Rubble masonry works etc.

As earlier mentioned this study is focused on the road works only. It is found that existing
DoLIDAR norms do not have Norms for earthwork excavation with the use of heavy
equipment. It is also found that the manpower provided for hard rock excavation is in higher
quantity in DoLIDAR norms than that in DoR & DoI norms. In addition to the above
maintenance norms for Roads and Bridges are not provided in existing DoLIDAR Norms
including Norms for Road and Bridge survey and design including norms for use of Geo-
textile. Norms for Land slide clearance work is not provided in existing Norms.

It is observed that the labour requirement for each items of work are provided for hill and
terai region. Some of the items of work are repeated in the existing norms but references are
provided to the previous item of works.

For some of the items of works in existing norms requires updating regarding manpower and
quantity of materials. For this some of items of works are updated and changes are made
regarding manpower and material quantities.

The item of work for surface dressing works provided in existing norms does not comply with
the guideline made by Transport Road Laboratory Road Note-3 revised in 2000. Changes
have been made for this item of works according to Road Note -3 which is taken from
Departments of Road’s Norms. The specification for this Item of works also needs updating
as per TRL road Notes-3.

It is observed that there is some lag in the norms prepared for survey and design of road.
Geotechnical Engineer or Geologist, Hydrologist, Environmentalist and structural engineers
including Highway engineer are required during field survey and design of roads, which are
not incorporated in the norms prepared for survey and design of Road.

The specification for the otta seal surfacing is provided in Special Specification prepared by
DoLIDAR, but the norms for this item of work is not available in the existing norms.
Similarly norms of items of works for landslide clearance, felling and uprooting of bamboo
including road maintenance works and use of geo-textile are not provided in the existing
norms.

It is observed that most of the development works carried out by the respective departments
use the DoR norms and specification for those items of works which are common for the
development works. For the specific work they have prepared their own specification and
norms. DoI have their own specification which are project specific and norms which is
English version of DoR norms published in 2041; DUDBC and DWSS have their own norms
and specification. Micro Hydro has their specification, norms which are also project specific.

7
 Solid waste Management has no norms and specification, but they are using DoR norms and
specification.

6.2 Recommendation

Besides existing norms some of the new work items, useful for local level infrastructure works
specially for road works, were identified during the study periods, which are included in this report.
Since the local government (DDC and VDC) is being involved in various types of infrastructure
works, additional works items and specifications, which are not included in existing norm, were
discussed during the meetings, interactions with the client. The Client insisted to include norms of all
necessary work items and specifications useful for rural roads construction and maintenance.
Considering time constraints the Consultant tried to incorporate maximum number of new work
items, which are essential for development works. The recommendation of the consultant regarding
survey and design norms and works items norms are presented this draft report.

Proposal by the Consultants for further updating of the Norms:

1. a. In existing work norms, labour requirement are quantified separately for hills and
terai which is provided as per the study made during the preparation of existing norms
it is recommended to follow the same. Also it is proposed to increase quantities of
manpower by 5 % on the top of general norms of civil works in case of
mountainous areas more than 2700 m.

Considering the present GoN standard work item norms for Terai and hill, single
norm is proposed for infrastructure development at local level., it is (except design
and surveying and where mentioned). The aforesaid norms and specification has been
recommended to be updated in consultation with Client and feedback received during
various meeting.

b. After reviewing the norms for survey and detail design of rural roads and survey. It is
found that experts as Geologist/Geotechnical Engineer, Hydrologist,
Environmentalist and Structural Engineer are not incorporated. These are the expert
required for survey and design of roads despite of its standard, wheather, it is
highway, or district or villege road, but number of input of these experts may differ.
So it is recommended to update the norms incorporating all the above experts. DoR
norms for this item work can be used.

2 It is recommended to use the norms updated in this report for the existing norms for
which justifications are made for each and every item of works and presented in
separate spread sheet attached herewith in Anmnex ….

3 It is recommended to follow the guideline made in Road Maintenance Guideline

prepared by RAP3 for the routine maintenance of rural roads. As this method for
routine maintenance work is under study and in experimental operation by different
programmes. This will eventually help to develop the routine maintenance works
norms which will be the practical representation developed from the field work.

4 New Norms for some items of works as, i) Otta seal, ii) Providing & laying Geo-
textile, iii) Land slide Clearance; iv) maintenance of road; etc, are add in the existing
norms through this report and recommended to use these noms for respective item of
works. These norms are prepared according to the DoR norms.

5 The existing Norms prepared by DoLIDAR is for the road works only which is based
on the labour intensive works. Since DoLIDAR is working for all the infrastructure

8
 development works, but have no norms and specifications other than road works.
Through this report it has been tried to compile the norms and specification of all the
infrastructure works. And in present practice DoLIDAR is working for the works
other than road by using the norms and specification of the respective departments of
govern of Nepal. So it is recommended to make/compile the norms of common items
of works which are used commonly in development of all infrastructure work such as
all Earthwork items, construction of masonry and gabion structures; cement concrete
and reinforcement work. And develop and prepare the other norms for the
specialized and specific works as road, building, water supply, irrigation and other
separately.

The Consultant would also like to recommend that the finalization of updating of norms
should be made after group review. For this purpose a review group should be formed
comprising senior engineers working in the concerned field. This group will prepare working
material for discussion and series of workshops should be arranged with participants from
DoLIDAR, DTO, DDC, Contractors and Consultants involved in rural infrastructure
development works to finalize norms and specifications.
.
Conclusion & Recommendation:

DoLIDAR has taken a great initiation to compile and compare the norms and specification
required for the construction of all the infrastructure development work. This effort for
reviewing the norms and specification helps to provide consistency in constructing the
infrastructure development works in this country. It is a continuous job since the technology
is developing day to day which invites to make changes in norms and specification. Through
this study by DoLIDAR has opened the door to develop its expertise in construction
management for the infrastructure development for all the development partners of GoN.

The existing norms developed by the DoLIDAR is purely labour based for construction of
road works with an objective to create the job for local and poor people living in remote area
within the road corridor. In this study comparison between the norms prepared by DoLIDAR
and DoR has been made and the short falls that are observed is corrected by updating the
norms complying to the specification prepared by DoLIDAR. Furthermore norms and
specification has been updated as per the present practice. In addition to that some new norms
and specifications are developed which are required for construction and maintenance of road
and bridge works.

It is once again repeatedly mentioned that norms and specifications for the items of works
which are common for all the infrastructural development works should be same and for
specialize works it differ as per the nature of works and respective departments who take over
the specialized works.

So it is suggested and recommended to get rates for the heavy equipments approved by
District Rate Fixation committee in per hour basis of the equipment including remuneration
of operator and helper. The basis for rate fixation can be obtained from the equipment
supplier or the Construction Entrepreneurs. The fuel component is included in the norms.

Last but not least for the item of works which are common to all seven sector development
works it is recommended to use the updated norms for its uniformity in rates in all sector and
for those specific works it is recommended to adopt the norms and specification developed by
respective Departments of GoN.

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7. Reference

1. Work Norms for Labour-Based Construction Work of Agricultural and Rural Roads,
DoLIDAR, 1999.
2. Technical Specifications for Labour-Based construction Work of Agricultural and Rural
Roads, DoLIDAR, 1999.
3. Standard Specification for Road and Bridge Works, DOR, July 2001.
4. Specification for Road and Bridge Works, Indian Road Congress on behalf of the Ministry of
Shipping and Transport (Road wing), Government of India, 1998.
5. All India Standard Schedules of Rates, Volume I, Ministry of Works and Housing,
Government of India, 1977.
6. All India Standard Schedule of Rates, Volume II, Ministry of Works and Housing,
Government of India, 1977.
7. Standard Norm, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, Ministry of Works and Transport 2041.
8. Construction Works Rate Analysis Norms, 2041, Design Manuals for Irrigation Projects in
Nepal, Department of Irrigation, NG, February 1990.
9. Norms for Rate Analysis (DRAFT), Prepared by NEPECON for Ministry of Works and
Physical Planning, Department of Roads, 2060.
10. Construction Works Rate Analysis Norms, First Revision 2046, Ministry of Works and
Transport, 2046.
11. Construction Works Rate Analysis Norms, Second Revision 2050, Ministry of Works and
Transport, 2050.
12. Norms, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, NGN, 2060.
13. Rate Analysis Norms (Interim) and Standard Specifications (Interim), Department of Roads,
NG, Second Edition, December 1997.
14. Productivity Norms for Labour-Based Construction, International Labour Organization,
Kenya, first Edition 1998.
15. Nepal National Building code, Department of Building, December 1995.
16. Public Works Directives, Ministry of Physical Planning and Works 2002.
17. Roadside Bioengineering Reference Manual 2057 (1999) DOR.
18. Rate Analysis, Koshi Project, Bihar, India
19. Rate Analysis of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project/FINIDA

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