KATHMANDU, Oct 26: Nepal’s national pride projects are making slow progress despite years of construction and billions of rupees in public spending, raising questions about the government’s ability to deliver major infrastructure on time and within budget.
Of more than two dozen projects designated as national pride initiatives, only three have been completed: The Upper Tamakoshi hydropower project, Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.
Of the 24 projects listed as ongoing, the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium and West Seti hydropower project have yet to begin construction, while progress on the remaining projects remains slow.
According to a progress report published by the National Planning Commission, national pride projects have recorded average annual physical progress of only 2.96 percent.
Former National Planning Commission vice chairman Prakash Kumar Shrestha said the projects had failed to receive special treatment despite their national importance.
Expedite national pride projects
“Although they are designated as national pride projects, their implementation is no different from ordinary development projects,” Shrestha said. He added that weak capital spending and inadequate budget allocations had also hampered progress.
The Babai Irrigation Project, launched in fiscal year 1988/89, has achieved around 82 percent physical progress after decades of construction. The government has spent Rs 18.21 billion on the project, which aims to expand irrigation and increase agricultural production, but it remains incomplete.
The North-South Karnali Corridor, launched in fiscal year 2012/13, has achieved only 13 percent progress.
Several other irrigation projects have also fallen behind schedule. The Mahakali Irrigation Project, launched in fiscal year 2006/07, has achieved 31 percent progress after spending Rs 10.71 billion.
The Sikta Irrigation Project, started in fiscal year 2004/05, has reached 51 percent progress, with Rs 24.33 billion spent so far. Farmers in the targeted areas remain unable to receive irrigation services at the intended capacity.
The Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project has achieved 74.8 percent progress after 13 years. The Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project, launched in fiscal year 2011/12, has reached 67 percent, while the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project has completed only 37.81 percent in seven years.
Road projects have also struggled to meet deadlines. The Pushpalal Mid Hill Highway, launched in fiscal year 2007/08, has achieved 84.68 percent progress, with Rs 73.58 billion spent. The Postal Highway, intended to improve road access and economic activity across the Tarai, also remains incomplete. The Kaligandaki Corridor and Karnali Corridor have yet to be completed despite starting construction in fiscal years 2008/09 and 2012/13, respectively.
The East West Electric Railway has made particularly little progress. Launched in fiscal year 2009/10, it has achieved only 3.6 percent physical progress. Its revised estimated cost has reached Rs 1.017 trillion, while the completion date remains uncertain.
The Kathmandu Tarai Madhes Fast Track, launched in fiscal year 2016/17 to connect the capital with the southern plains, has achieved 48.72 per cent progress.
Environmental and energy projects have also lagged. The Chure Conservation Project, launched in fiscal year 2014/15, has achieved only 6.7 percent progress.
The Budhigandaki hydropower project has received around Rs 42 billion in spending, but physical progress stands at just 16.55 percent. Repeated changes in its construction model have delayed implementation.
The slow progress reflects persistent problems with land acquisition, construction materials, contract management, technical issues and coordination among government agencies. Delays have also pushed up estimated costs, reducing the returns on public investment.
Shrestha said national pride status had not translated into more effective implementation. The government needs to strengthen monitoring, ensure adequate funding and hold contractors and responsible agencies to account.
Completing the projects will require clear work plans, realistic deadlines and timely resolution of implementation bottlenecks. Without stronger oversight and defined responsibility, the government risks keeping major infrastructure projects unfinished for years while delaying the economic and public benefits they were designed to deliver.
