National Infrastructure sector tops budget allocation for new fiscal year The government has announced a ‘mission mode’ approach to speed up project delivery through reforms, flexible financing, and improved coordination, while setting ambitious targets for roads, bridges, and drinking water access.Bimal Khatiwada The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has received the highest—Rs3.02 trillion—for the upcoming fiscal year, figuring 14.25 percent of the total budget. Of the total, Rs2.86 trillion has been allocated for roads and urban infrastructure development, while Rs371.7 billion has been allocated for water supply and sanitation. The ministry, formed after a merger of the Urban Development Ministry and Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ministry, has given special priority to national pride and strategically important projects. However, the budget for the Kathmandu–Tarai Madhesh Fast Track, one of the most closely watched national pride projects, has been reduced. Only Rs 17.64 billion has been allocated for its construction phase, compared to Rs24.49 billion in the current fiscal year. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said that procurement reforms, flexibility in fund transfers, alternative financing mechanisms, and ensuring project stability will help complete projects on time and within budget under a “mission mode” approach. He also said a “sunset law” related to development projects will be presented in Parliament within the current fiscal year. He added that the government will address difficulties faced by contractors due to rising prices of fuel, bitumen, and other construction materials caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Development projects have been largely stalled due to the conflict in West Asia, with roads prepared for blacktopping left incomplete. The Nepal Construction Entrepreneurs Federation has said work has halted due to the government’s failure to adjust prices. Nicholas Pandey, president of the federation, said the budget appears to prioritise completion of old projects. “The key issue we