Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The construction of Nepal’s new parliament building has fallen behind schedule, prompting authorities to make temporary arrangements for the House of Representatives’ activities at the existing multipurpose hall within the parliamentary complex.
Ekram Giri, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the Federal Parliament Secretariat, confirmed that despite the delays in completing the main chamber, there will be no disruption to members’ oath-taking or parliamentary meetings. “Even if the main hall in the new parliament complex is not ready on time, alternative arrangements have been made to ensure that sessions and oath-taking ceremonies proceed smoothly,” Giri said.
The government had initially planned to hand over the House of Representatives’ chamber to the Secretariat by 1 Chaitra 2082 (mid-March 2026). However, recent progress reports indicate that completing the chamber by that date is unlikely. In coordination with the Ministry of Urban Development and construction contractors, preparations are underway to temporarily use the multipurpose hall for swearing-in ceremonies and initial parliamentary meetings.
“The hall under construction for the House of Representatives was scheduled to be handed over to the Secretariat by 1 Chaitra, but recent assessments show that it will not be completed by then. Currently, the multipurpose hall will accommodate oath-taking and some initial sessions as an interim arrangement,” Giri explained.
According to Giri, the multipurpose hall’s construction has reached its final stages, with only minor technical works remaining, which are expected to be completed shortly. The Secretariat continues to monitor progress closely through regular coordination, requests, and on-site supervision.
The spokesperson emphasized that the lack of a ready meeting chamber will not impede the swearing-in of members or parliamentary proceedings.
The delay comes after the previous New Baneshwar parliament building was damaged by fire during the Janajati movement, creating additional challenges for parliamentary operations. Meanwhile, the National Assembly continues to meet in the old Agriculture Committee hall within the Singha Durbar complex.
The new parliament building is being constructed on a 156-ropani plot in the Singha Durbar premises. The construction contract, awarded to Tundi-Sec JV on 16 Ashwin 2076 (2 October 2019) for NPR 5.67 billion, initially aimed for completion by 16 Ashwin 2079 (2 October 2022). However, as of Falgun 2082 (February 2026), the building remains incomplete despite five extensions of the project deadline.
Separate contracts were awarded for roofing and interior works: Channelink Engineering received the roofing contract on 27 Falgun 2080 (10 March 2024) for NPR 379 million, and KC-Shyamsundar-Baniya JV was given the interior works contract for NPR 2.34 billion. Despite the completion of contractual deadlines, construction remains unfinished.
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