KATHMANDU: Presenting the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2026/27 before a joint session of the Federal Parliament on Friday, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle announced a major multi-sector expenditure layout targeting human capital expansion, power transmission security, and an intensive nationwide overhaul of competitive athletic arenas.

The education sector received a substantial financial commitment of Rs 218.30 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.

While this investment marks a massive state layout dedicated to expanding equitable access to classrooms, updating scholastic materials, and training teachers, the final figure sits slightly below the parallel capital envelope allocated to the combined physical infrastructure and urban development framework, which secured Rs 286.48 billion.

Out of the broader infrastructure and utilities push, the government channeled an additional Rs 70 billion specifically into under-construction high-voltage energy corridors and regional substations to prevent distribution losses and eliminate power supply drops.

A primary deliverable under this utility push will be the complete technical activation and physical completion of the crucial Hetauda–Dhalkebar transmission line within the next fiscal year.

Simultaneously, the state unveiled an aggressive growth strategy for the sports sector with a total budget allocation of Rs 4.03 billion.

Moving beyond routine administrative allocations, the funding will fuel a massive architectural transformation of the country’s competitive stadiums over a three-to-five-year horizon.

Under the new stadium blueprint, 10 football venues across the country will be upgraded to maintain an 8,000-spectator capacity equipped with high-intensity floodlight installations for evening fixtures.

To boost cricket infrastructure, the state will fund the construction of modern, international-standard cricket stadiums across eight major cities within five years.

To accelerate these priority sites, immediate technical design reviews and financial investment models will be drafted for the Mulpani Cricket Stadium and Academy, the Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium in Biratnagar, and the Fapla Cricket Ground in Dhangadhi.

Furthermore, the budget guarantees the construction of seven indoor multi-purpose arenas capable of accommodating 2,000 spectators within three years, ensuring dedicated sports facilities across Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Lahan, Butwal, Pokhara, Surkhet, and Dhangadhi.