Frozen road construction budget irks Bajura locals

BY SHER BAHADUR SARKI,Bajura, Nov. 27: Locals of several remote settlements in Himali Rural Municipality, Bajura, have expressed strong dissatisfaction after funds allocated for road construction from Ward Nos. 1 to 3 were halted just as work was set to begin.

According to locals, the federal government had allocated nearly Rs. 30 million in May of fiscal year 2025/26 to ease travel for residents and tourists. However, once the budget was frozen following the recent Gen Z movement, road construction work came to a complete standstill, leaving communities frustrated and feeling neglected.

Himali Rural Municipality, located in one of Nepal’s most remote districts, includes some of its most isolated settlements-- Maitarna, Yuna, Baudi, Gumba, Lampata, and the popular tourist destination Ranisain, all within Ward Nos. 1 to 3. Despite their tourism potential, these areas remain disconnected from the roadway network, forcing locals to endure severe hardship and making travel difficult for visitors.

While some wards, specifically 4, 5, 6, and 7, have recently gained road access, Ward Nos. 1 through 3 continue to lag far behind. The local government had repeatedly requested federal support for road expansion, resulting in last year’s allocation of nearly Rs. 30 million. Yet that funding is now suspended.

Ward Chairman of Ward No. 3, Mangal Bahadur Budha, stated that the road would greatly ease movement for both locals and tourists travelling through these remote villages to reach Ranisain.

“The previous government allocated the budget after understanding the hardships of these settlements,” Budha said. “But now, with the current government freezing the funds, locals are facing even greater difficulty.”

Himali Rural Municipality Chairman Govinda Bahadur Malla confirmed that the federal government had earmarked Rs. 30 million for road expansion across all three wards. He said that the usual budget release pattern was that the federal government would allocate the budget in May, the provincial government in June 15, and the local government in June 29, but this year’s freeze disrupted the entire process.

“We had not allocated separate funds since the federal budget was already approved,” Malla said. “But with the freeze, the people here have been left in trouble.” According to Subash Shah, Information Officer at the Achham Road Division Office, the government had suspended all projects exceeding Rs. 30 million in the wake of the Gen Z movement.

“We have begun correspondence with the Ministry of Finance, requesting the release of the budget,” Shah added.

Locals said that ensuring road access to remote settlements was the government’s fundamental responsibility. With the budget suspended, they feel deprived of essential services and fear that development in their village, already long overdue, will be delayed even further.