Insights \
Community Perceptions of the Multidimensional Impacts of the Prithvi Highway Upgrade
Road upgrades happen every day—but what do they really mean for the people who live alongside them? Scott Wilson Nepal is taking a close look at the Mugling-Pokhara stretch of the Prithvi Highway through a fully independent, self-resourced study. Surveys, focus group discussions, and conversations with local voices reveal the impacts on mobility, safety, economy, culture, health, and nature.
The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the multidimensional impacts of the recently constructed highway on surrounding communities. Specifically, the study seeks to explore how the highway has influenced road safety conditions, shaped the local economy, altered socio-cultural dynamics, affected environmental and ecological systems, and contributed to changes in community health. By capturing and analyzing community perceptions across these dimensions, the research aims to generate holistic insights into both the benefits and challenges introduced by the highway’s development. Such understanding will support evidence-based planning, policy formulation, and mitigation strategies that enhance community well-being and promote sustainable infrastructure development.
The project focuses on the Mugling-Pokhara segment of the Prithvi Highway, a vital 81-kilometer stretch connecting the mid-hills to major economic centers. This corridor passes through multiple municipalities and market towns, including Aanbukhaireni, Damauli, Dumre, and key peripheral areas of Pokhara. The alignment traverses varied terrain, ranging from river valleys and densely populated settlements to hilly sections influenced by hydropower and other infrastructure installations. Given its strategic location, the corridor serves as a lifeline for passenger transport, goods movement, tourism flow, and regional trade links.
