Achham, May 15 -- A government plan launched 15 years ago to develop 10 organised and modern towns along the Mid-Hill Highway has stalled amid policy neglect, budget freezes, and weak implementation, according to local officials.

The integrated development initiative was launched with a target of settling at least 100,000 people in each town by 2033 and curbing migration from the hills. But officials say the project has become almost inactive, with no clear implementation strategy and allocated budgets remaining unspent.

The situation contradicts the government's claims of pursuing balanced urban development under the National Urban Policy 2014 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

According to the Integrated Developmen...