Mayor Balen Shah Stresses Long-Term Vision and Honest Leadership for Nepal

Kathmandu — Mayor Balen Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has emphasized that Nepal now needs long-term vision and honest leadership, not short-term decisions or popular slogans. Writing on Earthquake Safety Day on Facebook, he highlighted the importance of safe structures, citizen-focused development, and sustainable progress over mere infrastructure projects.

“Development is not just about roads, buildings, or large structures. True development is creating a safe environment, meeting the needs and hopes of the people, and building an open society where citizens feel empowered,” Shah wrote. “Institutional growth should not remain on paper—it should be experienced by every citizen. For this, we need committed and honest leadership that ensures not just our generation but future generations inherit a safe and hopeful country.”

Drawing from his experience as a civil and structural engineer after the 2015 earthquake, Shah noted that he personally helped rebuild about 2,500 houses in Kavre and worked across 35 districts. These experiences taught him that in a seismically vulnerable country like Nepal, development cannot rely solely on engineering. Geography, society, and infrastructure must be integrated to build a resilient nation.

He stressed that structural engineering, long-term planning, responsible policies, and honest leadership are essential for a safe nation. After studying structural engineering in India, he had opportunities to work in more developed countries but chose to return to Nepal. “Today, as mayor, we prioritize action over words. Transparent systems, tangible services, and structural improvements have started in the metropolitan city, and it is now time to expand these practices nationwide,” Shah added.