The government has begun reviewing the number and boundaries of local levels, nearly a decade after federal restructuring, in a move aimed at fixing long-standing administrative and service delivery issues.
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has prepared a draft framework to guide the process, with plans to complete adjustments before the 2084 local elections. The review comes after widespread complaints that existing boundaries were drawn without sufficient consideration of geography, population balance, and access to services.
In many areas, wards that should be connected remain divided, while others that are geographically distant have been grouped together. These inconsistencies have created confusion and made it difficult for residents to reach basic services such as health posts, schools, and local offices.
The draft proposes that future classification and boundary adjustments be based on factors such as population size, geography, infrastructure, economic capacity, natural resources, and community composition. The ministry has already sought feedback from all seven provincial governments.
Under existing law, any proposal to merge or reclassify local levels must first be approved by a two-thirds majority at the local level before moving through provincial review and final approval by the federal cabinet.
Officials say the goal is to make local governance more practical and accessible. However, the scale of the challenge remains significant. Out of 753 local units across the country, more than 100 are currently facing boundary-related disputes that affect service delivery.
In some cases, residents must travel hours to reach nearby offices due to poorly aligned ward boundaries. Local representatives have been urging the government to act quickly, warning that delays will continue to affect everyday life.
The review is expected to shape the next phase of Nepal’s federal system, with a focus on making local governance more efficient and responsive.