Ram-Janaki Stadium faces uncertainty over rent dispute

By Bijayakumar Sah,Dhalkebar, May 7: An unexpected rental demand from Guthi Sansthan has made the construction of the proposed Ram-Janaki Multipurpose International Stadium uncertain.

The stadium is planned to be built on land owned by Guthi Sansthan in Rajoul, Janakpur Dham Sub-Metropolitan City.

In a letter to the Ministry of Sports and Social Welfare of Madhesh Province, the Infrastructure Development and Heritage Preservation Branch of Guthi Sansthan set the annual rent at Rs. 4.99 million for 17 bighas of land. The rent will increase by 10 percent each year, and the lease can last for a maximum of 25 years.

Previously, Guthi Sansthan and the National Sports Council agreed to lease the same land for Rs. 900,000 per year on November 19, 2017. However, Guthi Sansthan canceled the agreement after the council failed to pay on time. Since then, the provincial government and sub-metropolitan city have tried to secure the lease.

Manoj Kumar Sah, Mayor of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, accused Guthi Sansthan of blocking the stadium’s construction by demanding excessive rent. “Their unwillingness to cooperate in development work is disappointing and condemnable,” Sah said.

According to him, intense discussions took place at Guthi Sansthan’s headquarters in Kathmandu. "There is strong pressure to move forward with construction. But Guthi Sansthan keeps delaying the land transfer."

Madhesh Province’s Minister for Sports and Social Welfare, Pramod Jaiswal, also criticized the rent demand as unreasonable. “The provincial government cannot afford nearly 50 million rupees in annual rent. Guthi Sansthan must be flexible because this stadium is crucial for sports."

He warned that Guthi Sansthan’s rigid conditions might prevent the stadium project from becoming reality.

The minister expressed determination to push forward construction. "If needed, the provincial government will introduce a bill related to the Guthi system and bring the land under provincial control."

So far, the Madhesh Province government and the sub-metropolitan city have spent millions on the project.

The sub-metropolitan city alone has invested 15 million rupees. During his visit to Janakpur, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a grant of one billion Indian rupees for the stadium. An agreement on its utilization has been reached between the provincial government and the municipality. A formal request has also been sent to the Indian Embassy for budget allocation.