Resunga meeting hall faces delays, utility question

By Top Lal Aryal ,Resunga (Gulmi), Dec. 4: The state-of-the-art Resunga Multipurpose Assembly Hall is being constructed in Arkhale, Resunga Municipality-4, Gulmi. 

The foundation stone of the assembly hall was laid by former Urban Development Minister Ram Kumari Jhankri. The work, which was originally scheduled to be completed by November 12, 2024, has not been finished even after the deadline was extended twice.

The deadline for completing the entire construction of the assembly hall has now been extended to April 13, 2026, said Ghanashyam Yadav, engineer of the Intensive Urban and Building Construction Project. According to Yadav, 75 per cent of the work on the assembly hall has been completed so far. 

DND Satteshwor Racket JV signed a contract for the construction of the assembly hall for Rs. 141.71 million including VAT. “Although there was a budget issue for some time, the construction project was delayed because the contractors did not proceed with the work despite having the budget,” Yadav said.

The assembly hall, which is being built on an area of five ropanis, will have two floors, be earthquake-resistant, and include special rooms, fire and earthquake-resistant features, a fountain, garden, and parking facilities. The multipurpose hall, with a capacity to hold 108 persons, and the main hall, with a capacity to accommodate 432 people, are currently under construction.

Construction entrepreneur Dhanishwar Gautam said that a major issue in the project was the lack of coordination between the implementing agencies. Gautam argued that the problem has been exacerbated by the absence of files, despite the federal office moving from Bhairahawa to Palpa during the agreement, as well as a lack of clear work directives and delayed delivery of materials and equipment requiring quality checks. 

He also noted that completing the project on time is challenging, as Rs. 25 million should be paid for the completed works, but currently it has a budget of only Rs. 9 million, leaving uncertainty about the payment of bills.

In addition to the issue of the assembly hall not being completed on time, there are concerns about its practicality. If a large programme is to be held in Tamghas, the district headquarters, where government offices and a busy population are located, hotels and open fields need to be found. 

Since the Chidichaur playground is under construction, there is no suitable place for large meetings. However, a modern multipurpose building is being constructed in Arkhale. While this is a matter of joy for the locals, it appears that operating the facility in the future will present significant challenges.

Gulmi Industry Association General Secretary and hotelier Sudarshan Khanal said that although Arkhale was considered suitable in terms of land at the time, questions may arise regarding its usefulness. 

He explained that, after the plan and budget were finalised, various alternatives were explored in Tamghas, but Arkhale was chosen due to the lack of available land. “The biggest challenge will be managing cost of operating the assembly hall after construction. Although a new structure is needed in the district headquarters, there is a problem of insufficient land,” he said.