Stalled Government Commitments 2026

Complete Melamchi Water Supply

Phase 1 delivered 170 MLD via temporary infrastructure after 2021 flood destroyed headworks. Water resumed Oct 2024 but halted again Jan 2026 by local protests in Sindhupalchok over unmet compensation demands. Phases 2-3 (Yangri/Larke rivers for total 510 MLD) not started. Intake relocation 800m upstream to Sarkathali planned. Valley demand: 470 MLD, supply when flowing: 170 MLD.

Complete All National Pride Projects in 2 Years

27 national pride projects total; only 4 completed (Upper Tamakoshi 456 MW, Gautam Buddha Airport, Pokhara Airport, Melamchi Phase 1). World Bank warns remaining 17 would take 41 more years at current pace. FY 2025/26 budget: Rs 67.08B allocated, only 15.49% (Rs 10.39B) spent in first 6 months. Fast Track at 45% progress. Budhigandaki and Nijgadh spent zero. Railway project at 5% since 2008.

Complete Stalled National Pride Projects (2 Years)

Key stalled projects: Fast Track at 45.16% (Rs 83B of Rs 212B spent, deadline Apr 2027, Khokana dispute blocking start point). Budhigandaki Hydropower and Nijgadh Airport spent Rs 0 in first 6 months of FY 2025/26. Railway at 5% since 2008. Melamchi halted by protests Jan 2026. Only 15.49% of national pride budget spent in H1. World Bank says 41 years needed at current pace. PM Oli May 2024 directive for review yielded no visible results.

East-West Electric Railway

945 km Kakarbhitta-Kanchanpur railway. DPRs completed for Bardibas-Simara (108 km), Simara-Tansariya (127 km), Tansariya-Butwal (64 km). Only physical work: Bardibas-Nijgadh 70 km section with ~50 km track bedding done. Rs 11.22B spent total, Rs 4B/year allocation. 2025 development: government considering rerouting entire line along East-West Highway to avoid land compensation — would require new DPR and abandon 15+ years of planning. National pride project with 5% progress since 2008. Est. cost $3B.

Bagmati & Major River Restoration

Restore Bagmati and other major rivers through sewage treatment and encroachment removal

Satellite Internet Infrastructure

Starlink NOT approved in Nepal despite strong lobbying. Key barrier: Nepal requires max 80% foreign ownership; Starlink demands 100% and refuses local partnership globally. PM Oli spoke with Elon Musk Nov 2024. Starlink demoed to officials. U.S. Embassy lobbying to remove foreign investment cap from new telecom bill being drafted. Meanwhile: Starlink used illegally at Himalayan base camps (NTA ordered halt). Neighbors ahead: India licensed, Bhutan launched Feb 2025, Bangladesh May 2025, Pakistan Mar 2025. Rural internet: only 17.4% of rural households have access vs 80% urban Kathmandu.