Biratnagar becoming commercial hub: Mayor

Nearly two and a half years have passed since your election. What infrastructure developments have taken place in the city during this period?  

Over the past two and a half years, 35 kilometres of roads have been blacktopped, while 46 kilometres have been graveled and 48 kilometres of drainage systems have been constructed. Additionally, 183 culverts have been built, 64 kilometres of RCC roads have been paved and 92 kilometres of retaining walls have been constructed. The construction of a children's park in Ward No. 1 is in progress. We have also completed the renovation of Birendra Sabha Griha in Biratnagar. The road from Shanti Chowk in Ward Nos. 5 and 6 to Keshaliya Road has been fully developed with drainage, culverts, slabs and blacktopping.

The metropolis has completed 50 per cent of its building construction. The renovation of Pushpalal Chowk Road is underway for Rs. 132 million, with 80 per cent of the work already completed. Similarly, about 70 per cent of the work on the Tribhuja Marg in Ward No. 2 has been completed. This is a major project of the metropolitan city. 

As part of the flood control initiative, RCC drains and retaining walls are being developed in multiple locations, including Pratik Marg, Maangad Marg, Astha Marg, FIFA Marg, Miteri Marg and Tri Marg in Ward No. 3, at a cost of Rs. 40 million.

 About 40 per cent of the works have been completed, with the project expected to be finished within this fiscal year. The blacktopping of a 5-kilometer stretch from Pulchowk in Ward No. 4 to Novel Hospital and from Keshaliya Road through Wards 11 and 12 to the south of Purvanchal Bal Ashram is 50 per cent complete. This Rs. 382 million road project is also set to be completed within this fiscal year. Additionally, 95 per cent of the drainage work on the road in front of Biratnagar Eye Hospital in Ward No. 13 is complete, with only the slab placement and blacktopping remaining.

Under our multi-year planning, we are constructing the Prime Ministers' Park featuring statues of seven Prime Ministers, who were born or worked in Biratnagar, at a cost of Rs. 171.3 million. About 65 per cent of the work has been completed. Similarly, an evening prayer site is under construction in Ward No. 2, with an investment of Rs. 39.8 million and 80 per cent of the work has been completed. In Ward No. 14, a greenery park with Rani Pokhari is being developed for Rs. 61.6 million and 70 per cent of the work in the project has been completed. Similarly, 65 per cent of the work on the Rs. 73.7 million Manthapokhari project in Ward No. 14 has been completed. 

We have installed traffic lights at Kanchanbari, Teenpaini, Jaljala, Roadshesh and Ghaas Chowk at a cost of Rs. 7.7 million. This has improved traffic management and reduced accidents, contributing to urban beautification. The beautification of the Bargachhi-Rani road is also underway. The ‘Bright Biratnagar’ campaign is progressing steadily. Plans are in place to construct the Singhiya Corridor from Hat Khola Bridge to Ghinaghat.

We have created and implemented the metropolitan logo that represents Biratnagar’s identity. We organised an International Literature Festival and a grand Koshi Province Art and Literature Festival in collaboration with Aarohan Gurukul. Additionally, the Biratnagar Academy of Literature and Arts has been established to promote language, literature and culture. Preparations are underway for a large-scale national art and literature festival under the Academy’s banner. The metropolitan city has also produced its own song, complete with audio and video.

What are the key foundations of a prosperous metropolitan city?  

Biratnagar shares an open border with Jogbani in India. Until the Jogbani border remains open, trade improvements will be challenging. However, once the Jogbani-Dharan-Kimathanka road is completed, Biratnagar will re-emerge as both a political and commercial hub. Additionally, alcohol is banned in Bihar. If we can establish safer hotels and tourism services, we could attract Indian tourists for casino gaming. Industry, trade and tourism are the key foundations of a prosperous metropolitan city. Biratnagar was once an industrial hub and the birthplace of Nepal’s democratic movement. However, its industrial significance has declined over time. Our goal is to establish Biratnagar as a city that shapes political thought and influences national decision-making.

Biratnagar was once known as an industrial city, but there are concerns that it has lost its former legacy. What are your thoughts on this?  

Currently, industrial activity in the metropolitan area has declined. The major industrial zones are now in Katahari and Budhiganga Rural Municipalities. However, this does not mean Biratnagar has been left with nothing. The Jute Mill, closely associated with Nepal’s democratic history, is now closed. We have repeatedly advocated for either reopening the industry or converting it into an industrial museum or park. This valuable property should not go to waste. Since this matter is beyond our jurisdiction, we are continuously urging the federal government to act. 

For the current fiscal year, we have a budget of Rs. 3.49 billion, with an internal revenue target of Rs. 1.1 billion. By February 10, we had collected Rs. 290.1 million, which is Rs. 20 million higher than the same period last year. Similarly, we expected Rs. 1.22 billion from the federal government’s equalisation, conditional and special grants, out of which Rs. 700.6 million has been received. The provincial government was expected to provide Rs. 83.9 million, but only Rs. 25.7 million has been received so far. Regarding capital expenditure, we estimated Rs. 1.33 billion but have spent only Rs. 146.8 million so far. Our main sources of revenue are taxes and recommendations. Although internal revenue is increasing, we, like the federal and provincial governments, have not been able to meet our revenue targets.

We are working to develop Biratnagar Airport into a provincial airport. This was beyond our budget, but the construction of a new terminal building is already in progress. If we can upgrade the airport to accommodate at least narrow-body aircraft, the number of tourists arriving in Biratnagar by air will increase. Additionally, the Girija Prasad Koirala Memorial International Cricket Stadium is a federal government priority project, but work has not yet commenced. We urge the government to expedite its construction.

Biratnagar ranked second in the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission’s metropolitan performance evaluation, scoring 73.5 per cent. We have the lowest rate of financial irregularities among all municipalities, ensuring that operations follow legal procedures.

We have introduced free ambulance and hearse services. We provide free physiotherapy services at Rani Hospital and free birthing centre services at Rani and Baijanathpur Hospitals. We have also set up breastfeeding rooms in the bus park and metropolitan offices. In partnership with Biratnagar Eye Hospital, we are working to offer free cataract surgeries. We also provide free blood to residents in collaboration with the Red Cross. Additionally, cervical cancer screening and vaccination campaigns are ongoing in all 19 wards.