February 12: Although big projects titled as game changers are always the top priority of the government, the financial burden of the state is increasing day by day due to the non-completion of the projects on time.

Although two dozen projects are listed as big projects, most of them are being built at a snail's pace. Most of the projects are under construction for a long time.

The future of some large infrastructure projects, that have a multifaceted effect on the country's economy, is in limbo due to the government's delay in preparing the detailed project report (DPR) and the modality of construction.

Budhi Gandaki hydropower, Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway, Nijgadh International Airport, West Seti Hydropower Project, Karnali-Chisapani Hydropower and Pancheshwar Multi-Purpose Projects classified as projects of national pride have not been able to move forward due to pending DPR and modalities.

A study conducted by the National Planning Commission has shown that the initial cost has increased from Rs 1045 billion to Rs 2595 billion as large projects move at a snail's pace.

The construction of Budhigandaki hydropower project, which was advanced in 2069 with the target of completion in 2083, has not yet progressed. The study of the National Planning Commission shows that the cost of this project has now reached Rs 2 trillion 60 billion.

Another project that has been affected by the government's dilly dallying is the Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Expressway. Even this project has not been able to gain momentum. Now its cost has reached Rs 175 billion. The government has not yet taken a decision on the DPR of this project, which was started in 2065. The much-hyped Nijgadh International Airport project has not yet progressed. The cost has reached Rs 165 billion. Although the West Seti Hydropower and the much talked about Pancheswar multi-purpose project has come into the limelight recently, there is no word on when its construction will start.

As the progress of other projects is also seen at a snail's pace, the government itself has been questioned. Dilliraj Khanal, a member of the Public Expenditure Review Commission, considers past mistakes and weaknesses as the main factor in the slow progress of projects. The only reason why big projects are in trouble is because of project selection. In the past, projects were selected without studying the details. Now there is no choice but to accept the past mistakes and to proceed strictly in the project selection, he said.

He said that although some projects have been selected and construction started, they have been stalled due to lack of resource management and preparation for construction.

Also, in the past, when big projects were determined, there was a problem in implementation. So, the government has introduced the 'criteria for determining national priority projects 2079' to be strict in the selection of such projects.