National Pride Projects Recommended to Be Limited to 10
Kathmandu. The National Planning Commission has suggested reducing the number of national pride projects, considered the backbone of the country's economic transformation and prosperity, to a maximum of 10.
Presenting the work progress report in the meeting of the House of Representatives' Finance Committee, National Planning Commission Member Secretary Rabindralal Pantha proposed reducing the number, stating that pride projects announced without adequate preparation, under political pressure, and haphazardly have not been completed on time and have remained stalled for years.
Member Secretary Pantha presented a detailed presentation on 'Problems and Solutions in National Pride Projects' in the Finance Committee meeting. He expressed the view that only a limited number of projects that are truly of strategic importance and worthy of pride should be included in this list, and the rest should be transferred to the provinces or other ministries.
He said, 'Projects announced without preparation have not been completed on time. Only a limited number of projects that are worthy of pride and truly of strategic importance should be included in the list of national pride projects. For that, the number should be reduced and limited to 10.'
He also stated that projects with more than 50 percent progress should be provided with adequate budget and completed within two years, and the scope of the remaining projects should be reviewed. Out of the 27 pride projects announced so far, only 4 have been completed.
Among those that have come into operation, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, Gautam Buddha and Pokhara Regional International Airport, and the first phase of the Melamchi Water Supply Project were completed a few years ago. The remaining projects are under construction, while some have not even entered the construction phase.
Progress of Which Project? (Details as of February 2083 BS)
Source: National Planning Commission
- Projects with 0 to 10 percent progress
New projects included in national pride in haste without preparation and resource assurance have zero progress. Especially, the condition of newly announced sports infrastructure is pathetic. The Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium under construction in Biratnagar has only 0.1 percent physical progress. Similarly, the progress of the long-discussed Mulpani Cricket Academy and Stadium is only 7 percent. The progress of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium being built in Chitwan is also limited to 10.5 percent.
On the other hand, the Budhi Gandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project, considered the most strategic for the country's energy security with a cost of 398 billion rupees, has only achieved 10 percent physical progress even after more than a decade since its announcement. This project has been in uncertainty for a long time as no infrastructure construction other than compensation distribution has started.
- Progress of Other Projects?
Among religious and cultural projects, the Pashupati Area Development Trust is at the top of the list with 98.3 percent physical progress. The complete management work of this project, which is under construction and operation, is yet to be finalized.
Similarly, Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, considered the lifeline of the mid-hills, has achieved 82.9 percent physical progress, ranking second in road infrastructure. Both the Babai Irrigation Project, considered strategic for the agricultural sector of western Terai, and the North-South Kaligandaki Corridor Highway, connecting to the Chinese border, have achieved 78.7 percent physical progress. Rani Jamara Kuleri Irrigation (74.8 percent) and Hulasi Highway (73.35 percent) appear to be moving towards completion.
Similarly, Lumbini Area Development Trust has reached 68.3 percent, Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project 65.0 percent, and Railway and Metro Development Project 50.09 percent physical progress.
Among those with less than 50 percent progress are Sikta Irrigation Project 47.5 percent, Kathmandu-Terai-Madhesh Expressway (Fast Track) 46.4 percent, North-South (Koshi Corridor) Highway 45.4 percent, Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project 37.2 percent, Mahakali Irrigation Project 26.6 percent, President Chure Conservation Program 19.0 percent, North-South (Karnali Corridor) Highway 17.2 percent, and Electricity Transmission Project (MCA Nepal) 11.3 percent.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
