Mid-Hill Highway new town plan stalls amid policy gaps and budget freezes
Summary
A 15-year-old government plan to develop modern towns along the Mid-Hill Highway has stalled due to policy gaps, budget freezes, and weak implementation, failing to curb hill migration as intended.
Key Points
- A government plan launched 15 years ago to develop new towns along the Mid-Hill Highway has stalled due to policy neglect and budget freezes.
- No concrete implementation strategy or dedicated legal framework exists; work continues under the outdated Town Development Act 1988.
- Local officials report that budget allocations are frozen or reduced while contractors are reluctant to work, hindering progress.
- The project aimed to settle at least 100,000 people in each town by 2033 and reduce migration from the hills, but migration outflows have continued due to a lack of local livelihoods.
