Minister Khanal urges local governments to prioritise long-term planning

KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal on Sunday urged local government officials to prioritise long-term planning over short-term political gains. He made the remarks during a consultation and suggestion collection programme organised by Tokha Municipality to formulate policies, programmes and the budget for fiscal year 2026/27.

Khanal said current local representatives have an opportunity to undertake work that will be remembered by future generations. "Current local level representatives have the opportunity to work in a way that even the generation 20 to 25 years from now will remember, so focus on long-term planning rather than short-term politics," he said.

Speaking as the Member of Parliament for Kathmandu Constituency No. 6, Khanal urged attention to building a well-managed city, noting that the southern part of Tokha is densely populated while the northern part still has open land. He called for the promotion of tourism through better management of Tokha's historic Newari settlement and the Saturday market, and suggested developing homestays.

Minister Khanal recommended seeking alternatives to the expansion of Tokha-Chhahare tunnel route, warning that many settlements could face problems under standard guidelines. He proposed developing Sangla Khola corridor and Bishnumati River corridor as alternative highway routes, saying these options could allow the construction of an international-standard road at lower cost and with less damage.

The minister also called for a digital system to make the municipality more technology-friendly, enabling residents to pay taxes and obtain general recommendations from home.

On the occasion, Bagmati Province MP and former minister Hariprabha Khadgi Shrestha said the public has high expectations of local government and urged that policies and programmes be formulated with people at the centre as resources permit. "No one should play politics with development work," she said.

Former minister Dr Banshidhar Mishra emphasised that laws should be made and implemented in accordance with constitutional rights and that local government must work according to the desires and aspirations of local people.

Tokha Municipality Mayor Prakash Adhikari said the municipality will formulate next year’s policies and programmes by accepting the opinions, suggestions and advice given by the public.

Kamal Bhattarai, the municipality’s chief administrative officer, said the local administration is giving priority to social development. He listed recent activities, including a midday meal programme for students, the Mayor Longevity Programme for health check-ups, a child nutrition allowance programme, public land protection and construction of corridors along various rivers.

Tokha Municipality, which has a population of about 137,000, currently comprises 11 wards.