KATHMANDU, April 6 -- The cost of the projects of national pride has increased by over Rs 1,050 billion due to the non-completion of their construction within the stipulated timelines, imposing a financial burden on the state.

Due to negligence of the contractor, political and legal complexity, lack of preparation, managerial weakness, disruption in resources for the project, land and road management, lack of regulation, coordination and political commitment, compensation dispute, COVID-19 pandemic, earthquake, and blockade, etc, the construction of the projects was affected.

It is mentioned in the half-yearly review report of the budget published by the Ministry of Finance that the initial costs of the projects of national pride was Rs...