Nepal has spent billions of rupees on national pride projects, yet most remain unfinished after years of construction and repeated deadline extensions. Of more than two dozen projects given this status, only three have been completed: The Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport. Among the 24 projects still listed as ongoing, construction has not even begun on the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium and West Seti Hydropower Project. The National Planning Commission reports that these projects have achieved average annual physical progress of just 2.96 percent. Many have missed their deadlines, and some have no clear completion date. The delays have left people waiting for services the projects were supposed to deliver. The Babai Irrigation Project, which began in fiscal year 1988/89, has reached 82 percent progress after spending Rs 18.21 billion. The Sikta Irrigation Project has reached 51 percent progress after Rs 24.33 billion was spent, but farmers still lack irrigation at the planned capacity. The East West Electric Railway has made only 3.6 percent progress, while its estimated cost has risen to Rs 1.017 trillion. The Budhigandaki Hydropower Project has received around Rs 42 billion, yet physical progress stands at just 16.55 percent. The Mid Hill Highway, Postal Highway, north-south corridors and Chure conservation programme are also incomplete. These projects were given priority because they were believed to be central to boosting economic growth and raising people's standard of living. But the special status has had little effect in expediting construction. Plenty of them have become chronic construction sites, which drain public funds but don't live up to the benefit. Every delay is pushing up costs and prolonging misery for millions.
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Difficult terrain, environmental concerns and technical issues can cause delays, but they cannot account for decade-long time lags. Poor preparation is a major part of the problem. Too often, projects are initiated by government agencies without completing land acquisition, obtaining an environmental clearance, or finalizing the design. Governments may not even have contracted out all necessary construction materials, forcing contractors to deal with otherwise avoidable problems. Budget problems can also delay implementation. Construction cannot proceed as scheduled if funds are delayed or insufficient. Equipment remains idle, labour is disbanded, construction halts and deadlines are missed. Implementation can be suspended or restarted by changes in specifications and implementation plans, mostly when there is a change of government. Difficulties are magnified when there is poor coordination between government ministries and agencies. Contractors are partly to blame. The government might be seen to have enabled this if it turns a blind eye to firms that fail to meet deadlines time and time again. Our tax money should not be left to churn in unfinished projects as owners go unpunished. The government must go the extra mile and make every effort. For each project, there must be a credible timetable, adequate budget and a clear individual accountable for delivery.
Ministries overseeing roads energy irrigation tourism drinking water and environmental conservation should report on expenditure, physical progress, delays, and bottlenecks, transparently, and regularly. Contractors without a reasonable explanation for failing to meet deadlines should be penalized, their contracts cancelled or barred from future work. Officials involved in unwarranted delays must be accountable. These can also be tackled by the government even before the proposed projects are approved. These are feasibility and environmental constraints, funding, and the know-how to implement the project. It should not give national pride status to projects simply to announce ambitious plans. Nor should it launch more projects than it can afford to fund and manage. Completing a smaller number of projects on time would benefit the public more than spreading limited resources across dozens of unfinished schemes. Nepal has already spent billions on these projects. The public shouldn't have to wait another decade for the public to get the payback. The government needs to get back on with the job, carry out contracts and hold officials to account for the delay.
