Sudurpaschim set to get cable car in its largest private-sector project
By Arjun Shah The Rs7 billion Jalpa Devi Cable Car is expected to begin operations in November, linking Chisapani with Rajkanda in the Chure hills and opening up a new tourism destination in far-western Nepal.
Too many aspirants leave Sudurpaschim chief minister struggling to fill cabinet
By Arjun Shah The Nepali Communist Party has 12 lawmakers seeking five available posts as Chief Minister Bhatta works to balance competing claims.
Karnali, Sudurpaschim chief ministers face confidence votes amid coalition tensions
By Tripti Shahi & Arjun Shah Karnali Chief Minister Mangal Bahadur Shahi and Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Khagaraj Bhatta are seeking parliamentary backing as disputes over power-sharing threaten to complicate their coalitions.
Minister’s emergency airlift lays bare healthcare gaps in Sudurpaschim
By Arjun Shah Lamsal was flown from Baitadi to Kathmandu after falling ill, highlighting a stark contrast with residents who struggle to find ambulances, basic medicines and specialist care.
Minister Lamsal to return to Kathmandu after falling ill in Baitadi
By Arjun Shah The physical infrastructure development minister developed symptoms of a viral infection and common cold while on a tour of far-western districts.
Sudurpaschim assembly spends Rs140 million but passes no bills and budget
By Arjun Shah Members say lawmaking was a priority neither for the provincial government nor the assembly.
Provinces struggle to spend development budgets as billions remain idle
By Arjun Shah, Parbat Portel, Pratap Bista, Krishna Prasad Gautam, Ghanshyam Gautam, Seema Tamang, Ajit Tiwari & Deepak Pariyar Weak project preparation, staff shortages and poor implementation continue to hold back capital spending.
In Sudurpaschim, tourists are coming. Infrastructure isn’t
By Basant Pratap Singh, Arjun Shah & Menuka Dhungana Viral mountain destinations are attracting thousands of visitors, but neglected infrastructure threatens the region’s tourism ambitions.
Chief Minister Shah weighs confidence vote as Sudurpashchim sinks deeper into budget crisis
By Arjun Shah Reduced to a minority after the UML withdrew support, the chief minister is banking on talks in Kathmandu as the province remains trapped in a fiscal vacuum.
Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Shah sacks four UML ministers
By Arjun Shah Move follows escalating budget dispute between ruling coalition partners, with province heading towards a possible new political alignment.
Three prime ministers, 10 premierships. Why is Sudurpaschim still Nepal’s poorest province?
By Arjun Shah Sudurpaschim’s abundant resources and prominent national leaders have done little to improve livelihoods, as chronic political instability and poor execution continue to undermine development.
Hand pumps are dry, even deep borewells no longer provide enough water
By Arjun Shah Experts blame the worsening crisis in Kailali to declining rainfall, urban expansion, loss of natural recharge zones and the destruction of the Chure range.
Health figures high in Nepal’s provincial budgets
By Krishna Prasad Gautam, Ghanashyam Gautam, Arjun Shah, Deepak Pariyar, Pratap Bista & Ajit Tiwari Budgets focus on upgrading hospitals, expanding rural healthcare, strengthening maternal and specialist services, and improving access for vulnerable groups.
Forest officials push roadside tempo off cliff in Kailali, video sparks outrage
By Arjun Shah Locals and lawmakers criticise conduct as authorities say vehicle was removed during anti-encroachment drive.
Despite court ban on pork-barrel funds, provinces continue billions in allocations to lawmakers
By Arjun Shah, Pratap Bista, Krishna Prasad Gautam & Ghanashyam Gautam Bagmati, Karnali and other provinces continue providing large sums via projects recommended by provincial assembly members, raising questions over compliance with Supreme Court ruling against the Constituency Development Fund.