Assessing Nepal’s National Pride
Project Portfolio in 2026
May 2026 PM Update from Nepal
REPORT
By Yamanta Raj Niroula
International Correspondent
Kathmandu, Nepal
1. Introduction
Nepal’s National Pride Projects (NPP) are a government-led effort to deliver large, high-impact infrastructure at scale. The program began in fiscal year 2011/12 with 17 flagship projects and has since grown to 27, covering hydropower, irrigation, transport, water supply, and cultural heritage. The goal is to address long-standing gaps in energy, connectivity, and basic services.
The “national pride” designation is intended to give selected projects priority budget access, closer political oversight, and faster approvals. The logic is straightforward: concentrate limited institutional capacity on a defined set of high-impact projects rather than spreading effort across a wide portfolio. Over time, the list has shifted in response to changing political priorities, post-earthquake reconstruction needs, and climate considerations.
Progress has been uneven. A handful of projects have reached completion and are delivering real benefits, particularly in power generation and urban water supply. Most others continue to face delays tied to land acquisition, environmental approvals, procurement bottlenecks, and weak inter-agency coordination. The gap between planned and actual timelines remains one of the program’s defining characteristics.
This report provides a current snapshot of the National Pride Projects as of 2026. It traces the program’s evolution, assesses implementation progress across sectors, examines the structural constraints affecting delivery, and reviews recent reform efforts. It also draws out practical lessons for managing large public infrastructure portfolios in resource-constrained settings.
2. Evolution of the Pride Projects List
The program was formally established in 2011/12 when the National Planning Commission identified 17 core projects. New projects were added in waves over the following years, with hydropower, irrigation, strategic roads, and tourism developments progressively included. By 2026, the total stood at 27 projects.
Each successive government has reviewed and adjusted the list. Previous administrations set ambitious completion targets, including a push to finish many projects by FY 2025/26. The current government under Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who took office in March 2026, has flagged a fresh review as part of its 100-point reform agenda.
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How to cite this work: Niroula, Y. R. (2026). From Ambition to Execution: Delivery Constraints in Nepal’s National Pride Project Portfolio, report, PM World Journal, Vol. XVI, Issue V, May. Available online at: https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pmwj164-May2026-Niroula-Assessing-Nepals-National-Pride-Project-Portfolio-report.pdf
About the Author
Yamanta Niroula
Kathmandu, Nepal
Yamanta Niroula is a seasoned Project Management Professional with over 17 years of extensive experience in engineering, infrastructure development, and project management across diverse global environments. His expertise includes project planning, procurement, contract management, stakeholder coordination, and risk mitigation, with a strong focus on executing projects in remote and developing regions under complex operational conditions.
Yamanta holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering and a Master of Arts in Rural Development, along with a Diploma in Civil Engineering. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) and an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) since 2010.
Yamanta has extensive experience in project management, successfully overseeing all stages of construction projects from initial planning to final evaluation. He specializes in managing complex processes, including procurement, contracting, and execution, while maintaining efficiency and regulatory compliance. By staying updated on industry standards and advancements, he has ensured that projects are forward-thinking, sustainable, and adaptable to changing environments.
Yamanta has successfully managed large-scale infrastructure projects, including roads, electrical infrastructure, wastewater treatment plants, logistics facilities, and disaster recovery programs. He has served in various capacities as Project Controls Specialist, Design Manager, Planning Manager, Engineer and Project Manager across international organizations and UN agencies in Nepal, the Maldives, Singapore, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Nigeria, Yemen, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
He has been responsible for project design, planning, execution, and control, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and quality assurance while enhancing overall program outputs.
Yamanta lives in Kathmandu, Nepal and can be contacted at niroulayr@gmail.com
View his full correspondent profile at https://pmworldlibrary.net/yamanta-raj-niroula/
To view other works by Yamanta Ray Niroula, visit his author showcase at https://pmworldlibrary.net/authors/yamanta-raj-niroula/
