Resilient Structures And Financial Modalities

A series of natural disasters and a repeated painful cycle have pushed us to reinterpret the meaning of resilience. Before August 26, 2026, Rasuwagadi/Timure was a trans-boundary trade, transit, and cultural hub, but today the flash flood claimed around 1454 lives, while turning it into a remote area, with the destruction of critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, hydropower plants and water supply. The Budhigandaki flood that hit Gorkha district on October 11, 2026 has rubbed salt into the wound caused by the Bhotekoshi mayhem. 

Land use planning and its flawless implementation are a gateway to resilience. There should be an immediate and long-term integrated reconstruction plan for the flood-affected Trishuli-Betrawati-Rasuwagadi corridor. Temporary connectivity with installation of Bailey bridges for urgent relief and logistical supply is an exigency, whereas elevated road alignment, tunnels, long-span high-level bridges, and development of integrated settlement on little high and dry ground should be part of a sustainable long-term plan.

On the same note, remodeling of the powerhouse of the hydropower plants and their access tunnel, check dam construction and bioengineering application across and along the rivers, reliable cross-boundary Early Warning System, etc., should also be integral components of the government's blueprint plan. More importantly, henceforth, any new construction and reconstruction works call for inclusion of climate-proofing upfront costs to withstand future climate change impacts. Inclusion of such costs means future savings and long-term value return, as the project is less vulnerable to climatic stress.

Resource mobilisation

Fundraising and resource mobilisation are crucial for speedy reconstruction. We should have strategic multiple financial approaches for fund generation, mobilisation of resources, and modus operandi. Domestic resources and Diaspora fund mobilisation to finance and run rehabilitation and reconstruction projects under a suitable form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), such as the Build-(Own)-Operate-Transfer BOT/BOOT framework or Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), can be one procedure. HAM is found to be a more relevant PPP model in Indian National Highways and road construction, given its clarity and flexibility in balancing financial risks and funding accountability between the government and the private investors, and the repayment mechanism with operation and maintenance (O&M) responsibility.