DPM Singh pledges resolution for headquarters construction

By Our Correspondent,Nawalpur, Dec. 15: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh has pledged to expedite the process of constructing the proposed Model District Headquarters in Kawasoti, Nawalpur. 

Speaking at an interaction programme regarding the project, Singh acknowledged that delays in obtaining tree-cutting permits had hindered progress but assured efforts to resolve the issue swiftly and efficiently. 

He also committed to discussing the matter with the concerned ministers after returning to Kathmandu.

“I will hold discussions with the Minister of Forests and Environment and the Minister of Land Management to address the obstacles. I am committed to accelerating the process and will ensure all procedures are followed to move the work forward,” he said.

The Division Forest Office in Nawalpur had approved the cutting of trees at the construction site and forwarded the request to the Department of Forests and Environment seven months ago. The department subsequently sent the file to the Ministry.

The ministry then referred the file to the Ministry of Urban Development for additional approval. After receiving the green signal, the Urban Development Ministry returned the file to the Forest Ministry. The Forest Ministry, in turn, forwarded it to the Ministry of Land Management, which also granted its approval. Despite these steps, the file remains stuck at the Forest Ministry, according to Project Chief Jhap Bahadur Thapa.

Thapa said that although the process began seven months ago, the tree-cutting order has not yet been issued, delaying the construction work. Chief District Officer Arun Pokharel expressed frustration over the bureaucratic delays, stating that despite obtaining approvals from all relevant ministries, the project remains stalled at the Forest Ministry.

Gandaki Province Assembly member Damayanti Ruchal highlighted the difficulties caused by the lack of permanent government office buildings, which has inconvenienced both service providers and recipients. She said that despite lobbying with figures such as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, no resolution has been achieved.

Gandaki Province's Minister for Agriculture and Land Management Padma GC also lamented the lack of progress. She pointed out that the inability to move the project forward for years after its foundation stone was laid has caused significant challenges. Minister GC urged Singh to facilitate the issuance of the tree-cutting order to prevent further delays.

According to Project Chief Thapa, the government currently spends Rs. 1.2 million monthly on rent for operating services from private buildings due to the absence of government office premises. The Division Forest Office in Nawalpur reported that the construction site within Jyoti Kunja Community Forest in Kawasoti-3 encompasses 186 bighas of land and has 642 trees, including 552 large ones.

Although the contract for the project has been awarded, with Chaudhary Construction from Rautahat tasked with building the District Administration Office and two integrated buildings in the first phase, no work can begin without tree-cutting permit.

The master plan for the model district headquarters includes federal and provincial government offices, parking spaces, gardens, a 25,000-seat football stadium, a 15,000-seat cricket stadium, residential quarters for staff, guest houses, conference halls, libraries and cafeterias. 

The project’s total cost is estimated at Rs. 16.25 billion, with Rs. 500 million allocated in the last fiscal year and Rs. 800 million designated for federal office and infrastructure construction this fiscal year.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone for the model district headquarters on April 20, 2019. However, bureaucratic hurdles have significantly delayed the project, leaving locals frustrated and awaiting tangible progress.