Far-west province reports infrastructure progress in three years, but budget execution remains slow

Dhangadhi: The Far West Province government has stated that it has made significant progress in road infrastructure development over the past three years.

According to the provincial government, a total of 1,340 kilometers of roads, including blacktop, gravel, and track opening works, have been constructed during this period. In addition, 13 concrete bridges and 5 suspension bridges have been completed. Despite limited resources, the government has prioritized road and bridge construction to expand infrastructure access for the public. It is expected that the expansion of the road network will improve connectivity in remote areas, ease transportation services, and support local economic activities.

Along with road infrastructure, progress has also been made in the irrigation sector. According to Subik Shrestha, spokesperson for the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, irrigation facilities have been expanded to around 23,000 hectares in the past three years.

Out of a total of 116,000 hectares of irrigable land in the province, irrigation facilities are yet to reach 61,000 hectares. The Mahakali and Ranijamara irrigation projects are being implemented by the federal government.

The provincial government has also claimed notable progress in the drinking water sector, with basic, medium, and high-level drinking water services reaching around 200,000 citizens over the past three years.

Similarly, 1,047 houses have been constructed under the People’s Housing Program, and 43 government and community buildings have been completed. Construction of integrated settlements, children’s homes, playgrounds, and covered halls has also been undertaken, spokesperson Shrestha informed.

In the current fiscal year, the provincial government allocated Rs 15.28 billion under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure. Although projects were categorized into different clusters and implemented, expenditure has not progressed as expected due to various movements, fuel price increases, and other factors. So far, only around 22 percent financial progress has been achieved. However, the ministry has stated that it aims to reach over 80 percent expenditure by the end of the fiscal year.

Despite notable achievements in infrastructure development, the slow pace of budget execution has raised questions about the efficiency of the provincial government. It is expected that development gains will be sustainable only if projects are implemented effectively and expenditures are managed on time in the coming days.