Rethinking Nepal’s Development Finance
Summary
Nepal’s repeated flood disasters are exposing deep flaws in its development finance model, with roads, bridges and settlements remaining highly vulnerable to climate and river risks. The article calls for risk-informed planning, stricter project screening and a shift toward resilient investment and financing reforms.
Key Points
- Recent floods in the Bhotekoshi, Kali Gandaki and Budhi Gandaki corridors caused major damage and highlighted the vulnerability of Nepal’s infrastructure and public investment model.
- The article argues that political incentives, weak regulation and poor risk assessment have distorted development finance and increased long-term fiscal burden.
- It calls for mandatory disaster-risk screening, stronger zoning and standards, science-based river management, and more resilient financing frameworks.
- The author says disaster resilience should be treated as a prerequisite for development gains rather than an extra cost.
