Insufficient Budget Hampering National Pride Projects, Says Minister Dahal

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, has expressed concern that National Pride Projects are failing to achieve expected success due to inadequate budget allocation. Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly’s National Concern and Coordination Committee, Minister Dahal advocated for a separate, concentrated budget for these crucial projects.

“National pride projects are inherently complex and large-scale, requiring a focused budget,” Minister Dahal stated. He lamented that budgetary fragmentation, influenced by demands from lawmakers and various political leaderships, has diverted funds away from these critical initiatives. “We are committed to rectifying this in the coming days. Going forward, only projects of national pride and national importance will be undertaken,” he affirmed.

Minister Dahal acknowledged the persistent problems plaguing these projects, stating that solutions are actively being sought. He emphasized that the delays are not due to inherent weaknesses in the projects themselves but rather “critical” issues in the field that have now been identified and are being addressed “gradually.”

During the briefing on projects under his ministry, Minister Dahal revealed that a pre-feasibility study for the East-West electric railway is underway. He added that the ministry would explore alternative measures for its implementation. “The East-West Railway is our dream,” he said, “but its progress has not been satisfactory.”

Kiran Kumar Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry, highlighted the need for sufficient budget and stronger government support for these projects. He also pointed out that “Right of Way” issues, particularly land acquisition and local obstructions, present significant challenges in construction.

Discussions at the meeting also covered the implementation status of National Pride Projects and the committee’s expectations regarding their progress. Ministry officials stressed the need for a clear and vital policy on land acquisition, to be implemented across all three tiers of government.

Secretary Sharma further noted that despite the existence of the Nepal Highway Strategic Plan, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport currently oversees numerous highways that are not part of this plan. This, he suggested, could lead to duplication in source management and execution.

Dr. Bijay Jaishi, Director General of the Road Department, advocated for focusing resources on only 80 key highways. He warned that roads constructed by provincial and local levels add additional risks to the national highway network.

Meanwhile, Rabindralal Das, Director General of Railways, discussed ongoing challenges related to the supply of construction materials and compensation issues in railway construction projects.