Major infrastructure projects meant to transform the country’s economy are moving so slowly that completing them could take another four decades, according to a recent report by the World Bank.
The report warns that the 17 national pride projects currently under construction may require up to 41 more years to finish if funding and implementation patterns remain unchanged. The findings highlight deep structural problems in how large public investments are planned and executed.
Travellers and transport workers are already feeling the impact of delayed projects. Road upgrades along the Daunne–Dumkibas section on the East-West Highway have faced repeated setbacks. The project began in 2019 with a target completion date of 2022, but progress has reached only about three-quarters after multiple deadline extensions.
Similar delays affect other major projects. The Kathmandu–Tarai Fast Track, a key motorway linking the capital with the southern plains, has also missed its original timeline and is now targeting completion several years later. Meanwhile, the long-running Pushpalal Mid-Hill Highway and the Postal Highway have taken more than a decade to progress, with large sections still unfinished.
According to the report, the core problem is not only funding but also poor preparation and bureaucratic hurdles. Land acquisition for infrastructure projects often takes two to three years because of compensation disputes and outdated land records. Environmental approvals such as tree-cutting permits can take around two years due to complicated procedures and multiple layers of approval.
Procurement delays further slow construction. Contract processes for development projects financed by international lenders take longer than the regional average in South Asia.
Experts say such delays raise project costs, slow economic growth and limit job creation. The report recommends focusing public funds on fewer, better-prepared projects and speeding up land acquisition and approval systems to prevent further setbacks.