Nepal is a country that has faced challenges in achieving balanced regional development, with much of the development being concentrated in the capital city of Kathmandu while other parts of the country have lagged. Despite various efforts made by the government to address this issue, there has been limited progress in achieving equitable development across the country. Nepal has made several attempts in the past to promote regional development through administrative divisions. In 1962, the country was split into 14 zones to decentralize development and governance, but the approach was deemed bureaucratic and ineffective. In 1972, Nepal was restructured into developed regions, each with its development plans, but this approach also failed. Despite creating seven provinces in 2015 under a new constitution, the development gap between Kathmandu and other regions remains significant. The World Bank reports that poverty rates in rural Nepal are nearly triple those in urban areas.  When comparing the least developed districts to Kathmandu, the disparity is vast. The 2022 UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index shows that Nepal’s poverty rate is 42.5 percent, with more than half of those below the poverty line residing in rural areas. The Human Development Index, which measures life expectancy, education, and income, highlights significant regional variations. Kathmandu’s HDI is above 0.6, while the rural districts of Rautahat and Mahottari score less than 0.4. Moreover, rural areas have limited access to essential services, such as electricity and healthcare. The 2019 Nepal Living Standards Survey indicates that only 61.8 percent of rural households have electricity access, compared to 94.3 percent in urban areas. Additionally, only 34.8 percent of health facilities are available in rural areas.

The country’s interest in big projects is evident, but the ground-level work doesn't always match up. A case in point is Gautam Buddha International Airport, one of the country's megaprojects. Despite being inaugurated ten months ago, as of Feb 2023, the airport has failed to attract international passengers or airlines. This is because most administrative offices, embassies, and institutions are located in Kathmandu, making it the preferred destination for international travel. This highlights the lesson that building infrastructure alone doesn’t guarantee positive outcomes. Therefore, it's crucial to promote regional development across the country to achieve inclusive and equitable growth. While infrastructure development is essential, it must be accompanied by efforts to ensure balanced growth across the nation.

The repercussions of a failed project should not be overlooked when considering another large-scale project like the Nijgadh International Airport, which not only has an estimated cost of $6.7bn but also entails the destruction of 2.4m trees, resulting in irreparable damage to the environment and wildlife. It is crucial to redirect resources and funds toward constructing essential facilities for residents instead of risking such damage. Rather, inspiration can be taken from our neighboring country Bangladesh, which has made smart investments to achieve a strong economic condition. Bangladesh offers a valuable lesson in economic growth. Its recent success can be attributed in part to the government’s investment in technology and digital infrastructure, which has led to connectivity in remote areas. The Bangladesh government has laid over 40,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, expanding access to broadband internet and digital services. As a result, a vibrant digital economy has emerged, with the country’s e-commerce market projected to reach $14.24bn by 2025. The investment has also led to a rise in entrepreneurship and job creation, with the number of technology startups growing rapidly. Initiatives like the ‘Digital Bangladesh’ program have been launched to boost digital literacy and support entrepreneurship. Nepal, a country that shares a similar geographical size with its neighbor, Bangladesh, can draw inspiration from its successful investment in digital infrastructure and technology to enhance connectivity in remote regions. As of Jan 2022, only 37.7 percent of Nepal’s population has access to the internet, leaving ample opportunity to expand digital connectivity throughout the country.  When it comes to Nepal's infrastructural development. It has long been hampered by bureaucracy and corruption, resulting in inflated costs and delays. However, technology offers a ray of hope in overcoming these challenges, as increased connectivity and technological advancement can go a long way in solving these issues. While the country may still require significant infrastructure, policymakers must prioritize initiatives that can deliver tangible improvements in people's lives in a shorter timeframe. Notably, Mahabir Pun's achievement in connecting Nangi village to the internet in 2001 serves as a testament to the efficacy of this approach, and with technological advancements, such projects are now even more feasible. Expanding on the given information, Nepal can benefit greatly from leveraging the expertise of its diaspora living abroad to drive sustainable and regional development. With a significant number of educated Nepalese residing in countries such as the USA, Europe, and Australia, their knowledge and skills can be tapped into to drive technological advancements in their home country. National initiatives, such as Digital Nepal, can be adopted as a blueprint, just as Bangladesh did with Digital Bangladesh, to attract tech experts back to Nepal and invest in sustainable development projects. Not only can this help bridge the technology gap, but it can also curb the brain drain, enabling the country to harness the global talent pool to drive growth and development. This can lead to new job opportunities and economic growth, creating a win-win situation for both the country and its diaspora. By capitalizing on the potential of its experts and investing in technology, Nepal can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future. Shivang Chalise Gettysburg College, USA