Nepal's mega-infrastructure projects: political will, economic feasibility and social cost –...

In the heart of the Himalayas, a grand nation-building project is unfolding. Nepal, a country that has survived a decade of civil conflict and a devastating earthquake, is now seeking to rewrite its destiny. This ambition is embodied in a national development strategy with the inspiring slogan “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis.” Central to this strategy are infrastructure megaprojects, officially called “National Pride Projects.” These are not just concrete and steel; they are powerful symbols of the nation's quest for economic independence, modernization and a final break with the country's legacy as being caught between two giants.
The scale of these plans is astounding: new international airports are being built, trans-Himalayan highways and railways are being designed, giant hydroelectric power stations are being erected that are capable of not only providing energy to the entire country, but also exporting its surplus. These projects are intended to be engines of economic growth, creating jobs, improving transport connectivity and opening up new opportunities for trade and tourism. But behind this façade of national revival lies a complex and ambiguous reality.

Видео Nepal's mega-infrastructure projects: political will, economic feasibility and social cost –... канала Alpha Business Media