Progress on national pride projects Nepal has been slow for years, and a new look at the numbers shows how slow. Republica reported on October 26, 2026 that, of more than two dozen projects given national pride status, only three are finished: the Upper Tamakoshi hydropower project, Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.
What happened with national pride projects Nepal
According to a progress report from the National Planning Commission (NPC), these projects have made average physical progress of only 2.96 percent a year. Of the 24 projects still listed as ongoing, two have not started construction at all: the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium and the West Seti hydropower project.
Former NPC vice chairman Prakash Kumar Shrestha told Republica that the projects are carried out no differently from ordinary development projects, despite their special label, and that weak capital spending and small budget allocations have held them back.
Source: Republica.
Key details
- Babai Irrigation Project: started in fiscal year 1988/89, about 82 percent complete, with Rs 18.21 billion spent.
- North-South Karnali Corridor: started in 2012/13, only 13 percent complete.
- Pushpalal Mid-Hill Highway: started in 2007/08, 84.68 percent complete, with Rs 73.58 billion spent.
- Kathmandu-Tarai Madhes Fast Track: started in 2016/17, 48.72 percent complete.
- East-West Electric Railway: started in 2009/10, only 3.6 percent complete, with a revised cost estimate of Rs 1.017 trillion.
- Budhigandaki hydropower: about Rs 42 billion spent, 16.55 percent physical progress.
- Sikta Irrigation Project: 51 percent complete after Rs 24.33 billion; Mahakali Irrigation: 31 percent after Rs 10.71 billion.
- Separately, the Office of the Auditor General’s 63rd annual report says Rs 504.55 billion has been invested so far and the revised cost of the whole portfolio has reached Rs 2,415.69 billion.
Why it matters for homeowners in Nepal
Big roads, highways and power projects shape everyday building costs. When a corridor such as the Mid-Hill Highway, the Postal Highway or the Kaligandaki and Karnali corridors stays unfinished, trucks carrying cement, steel, sand and bricks take longer routes or wait on damaged sections, and that cost ends up in the price you pay at your site. Land along a planned highway can also be bought on the promise of access that takes many more years to arrive.
Power matters too. Hydropower projects like Budhigandaki were meant to add a lot of electricity to the grid. Delays slow the growth of reliable supply, which affects how easily a new house can get a connection and how well site equipment and later home appliances run. For families planning a house, the lesson from national pride projects Nepal is simple: do not base your budget or timeline on a big project finishing on schedule.
What to do next
- If you are buying land because a new road or corridor is coming, check the project’s actual progress, not just the announcement.
- Add a buffer of time and money for materials that must travel long or damaged routes to reach your site.
- Ask your local supplier how transport conditions are affecting delivery times and prices this season.
- Use our house construction cost calculator to plan your full budget, including a margin for delays.
For more background, see the original report from Republica and the Auditor General’s findings reported by B360. On our site, try our house construction cost calculator and construction calculators.
How to use construction news when planning your house
News about laws, roads, power and prices can feel far away from a single family house, but each story here changes something practical: what you pay, how long the work takes, or what paperwork you need. Before you start a build in Nepal, it helps to keep a short checklist and update it as the news changes.
- Rules: is your naksa approved, and does your design follow the national building code?
- Materials: where will cement, steel, bricks and sand come from, and how will they reach the site?
- Utilities: when will you apply for electricity and water connections?
- Budget: have you added a buffer for price rises and delays?
- People: are your engineer and contractor registered, and is their scope written down?
A good plan does not remove every risk, but it turns surprises into small adjustments instead of big problems. We follow construction news from Nepal and around the world every day so you can make these decisions with up-to-date information. If you are not sure how a story affects your own project, talk to a registered engineer in your municipality before you change your plans.
FAQ
Which national pride projects Nepal has completed?
Only three: Upper Tamakoshi hydropower, Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.
How fast are the other projects moving?
The National Planning Commission puts average physical progress at 2.96 percent a year.
Which projects have not started?
The Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium and the West Seti hydropower project have yet to begin construction.