Transportation Infrastructure in Nepal: Current and Future Planning

Nepal is experiencing growth and along with this is the increasing pressure to build more linear infrastructure. Ninety percent of goods and passengers use transport services by roads. Nepal’s total road length is estimated at 74,756 kilometers. Meanwhile, the government is envisioning to build 33,000 kilometers more of national/provincial highways (two-lane, paved) by 2043. This worthy ambition is not without its own set of challenges including lack of integrated transport master planning and interagency coordination. With thisrecognition, the government is setting policy initiatives and guidelines to ensure the building of balanced, safe, sustainable, environment friendly, and quality road infrastructure. Among these are on mandating strict compliance with environment and social issues and design and master planning that considers wildlife and climate change.