Connecting Margins to the Mainstream: Road Construction by the Nepali Army as a Catalyst for National Unity

Abstract

National integration and equitable development have long been hampered by Nepal's mountainous terrain and historical regional disparities. This study looks at how the NA contributes to the development of road infrastructure as a means of fostering connectivity, national cohesion, and socio‑economic change. The main issue discussed is the continuation of insufficient transport networks, which are made worse by poor governance, scarce resources, and regional disarray. The study intends to assess the effects of army‑led road projects on social cohesion, state legitimacy, and inclusive growth, guided by important research questions about the opportunities, difficulties, and ramifications of these projects. Using a mixed-method, exploratory design, the study combines analysis of policy documents, planning reports, and secondary literature with questionnaire surveys and KIIs with local communities, army officials, and policymakers. Results show that army-led initiatives have improved local economies, decreased center‑periphery divides, increased physical connectivity, and increased public confidence in state institutions. But there are still issues, from threats of militarization in development governance to poor interagency coordination and a lack of democratic oversight. According to the study, the NA's developmental role is crucial to accomplishing the balanced growth and integration objectives of the National Planning Commission's Sixteenth Plan (2023/24–2028/29), but it also necessitates institutional safeguards to maintain environmental integrity and democratic accountability. Environmental evaluations, community involvement, open communication, and civil‑military coordination mechanisms are all emphasized in policy recommendations. The importance of the study lies in establishing army‑led infrastructure as a social and strategic tool for promoting harmony, adaptability, and sustainable national growth in Nepal.