Model bus park construction gains momentum in Waling

By Radhakrishna Dumre

Waling (Syangja), Mar. 23: The construction of a model bus park in Waling, Syangja, has gained momentum. According to the Waling Municipality, the modern bus park is being built in Shitalnagar-8.

Krishna Khand, the Mayor of Waling Municipality informed that the bus park is being constructed in collaboration with the Town Development Fund. He said that the project aimed to address issues stemming from rapid urbanisation, increased vehicle traffic and unorganised parking.

In 2015, the municipality purchased 20 ropani of land in Shitalnagar for the bus park. Khan added that the model bus park is now being developed on this land along with an additional 10 ropani of public land.

Waling has been advancing under a ‘smart city’ strategy, yet the lack of organised parking spaces has made the market area congested and visually unappealing. To resolve the parking problem, the municipality initiated the bus park construction following a Detailed Project Report (DPR), said Deputy Mayor Kabita Tiwari Gaire.

As per the DPR, the total estimated cost for completing the bus park is Rs. 200 million. The first phase of construction is being carried out by Khilung Kalika-Karki JV under an agreement worth Rs. 90.76 million, Chief Administrative Officer Ganga Lal Subedi said.

The project is being funded through a loan from the Urban Development Fund along with the municipality's internal investment.

According to Waling Municipality Engineer Dhruba Regmi, the first phase -- set for completion by the end of June 2026 -- will include a terminal building, parking spaces for buses and cars, a workshop, charging stations for electric vehicles, internal roads, fencing and a protective wall along the Andhikhola River.

Once completed, the bus park will accommodate 96 vehicles per hour. The municipality’s Technical Section Chief, Mani Prasad Tiwari, said that there would be parking capacity for 42 jeeps, minibuses and microbuses operating on short routes, 48 long-route buses, 8 electric buses, 10 two-wheelers and 20 private cars per hour.

The bus park is being constructed alongside the Siddhartha Highway. As a result, the municipality expects the project to reduce haphazard parking along the highway, making travel easier from Waling to southern Parbat, Gulmi and Palpa districts.