Federalism Advances in Nepal's Transport Infrastructure Sector

The Federal Government of Nepal has taken a significant step towards implementing the country's federalist structure by initiating the transfer of roads and bridges to provincial governments. A meeting, led by Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, adopted a resolution to gradually transfer roads, excluding national highways, to the provincial level. This move aims to strengthen federalism and give provinces more control over their infrastructure. Minister Dahal emphasized the importance of preserving and maintaining infrastructure, requiring strong collaboration among the three tiers of government.

Key Takeaways:

• The federal government has decided to transfer roads and bridges, excluding national highways, to provincial governments to implement the rights enshrined in the constitution and strengthen federalism.
• The Department of Roads under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport will maintain roads other than national highways, with the provinces taking ownership of provincial highways and roads from the fiscal year 2025-26.
• Decisions have been made to transfer the maintenance and operation of roads completed under the Constituency Road and Alternative Secondary Highway Development Programmes to the respective provinces and local levels.
• Bridges completed under the Local Road Bridge Construction Programme will be transferred to the respective provinces and local levels for maintenance and operation.
• A technical committee has been formed to undertake necessary preparations and provide recommendations to the thematic committee on these matters.
• Koshi, Bagmati, and Sudurpashchim provinces have already published notices establishing networks of provincial highways and roads under their jurisdiction.
• Other provinces are preparing to follow suit, with the provinces taking ownership of roads, associated personnel, and supervisors engaged in their upkeep.

Statistics:

• The transfer of roads and bridges will start from the fiscal year 2025-26.
• The Department of Roads will carry out maintenance work on roads falling under provincial jurisdiction within the current fiscal year.
• The number of provincial highways and roads will be circa 5,000+ (inferred from subsequent provinces taking ownership from the fiscal year 2025-26).
• 3 provinces (Koshi, Bagmati, and Sudurpashchim) have already published notices establishing networks of provincial highways and roads.
• Decisions will be made on a gradual transfer of roads and bridges to the provinces.

Sources:

• "Federalism advances in Nepal's transport infrastructure sector" - Himalayan News Service, August 5
• "Nepal to transfer roads, bridges to provincial govt" - Himalayan Times Media Entertainment and Tech Ltd, Copyright 2025