Election promises fail to deliver on Biratnagar’s cricket ground

By Hari Prasad Koirala,Urlabari, Feb. 26: Whenever elections draw near, the unfinished Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium in Baijanathpur, Ward No. 19 of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, once again becomes a focal point of public debate.

In 1997, the government acquired 15 bigha and 10 kattha of land with the intention of building a multi-purpose stadium. 

A cricket pitch was prepared there during the Seventh National Games. 

Since then, every election has brought renewed promises of completing the facility.

Political parties have repeatedly included the project in their manifestos, pledging to voters that construction would be carried out. 

Yet, since 1998, no substantial work has been undertaken. 

This remains the only government-owned stadium in Koshi Province. 

According to Mohammad Saad Qureshi, President of the Morang Cricket Association, despite budget allocations from both local and provincial governments, no significant progress has been achieved. 

“Candidates visit the ground, offer assurances, but once elected, they do nothing. Even if only a pavilion and toilets were built, matches could be held. But even that budget has not been secured,” he said.

In 2023, the Ministry of Youth and Sports requested Rs 279.74 million from the National Planning Commission to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). 

Then Minister Dig Bahadur Limbu promised that once the DPR was ready, the stadium would be completed within three years. 

Limbu, who represented Morang in Parliament, initiated work to upgrade the stadium soon after becoming minister. 

However, progress stalled following his departure from office.

Qureshi added that even Rs 10 million allocated by the Ministry of Social Development could not be utilised. 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry had earmarked Rs 10 million for a four-storey pavilion building, but construction was halted due to the pandemic. 

The project now lies abandoned.

The land acquired for the multi-purpose sports complex has seen partial development: a tennis court and a shooting hall have already been built, though both await proper maintenance. 

While the cricket ground itself is fenced, the surrounding land has turned into pasture, with locals grazing cattle, buffaloes and goats there daily.

Since 2013, 67-year-old Sukret Lal Sardar has been living in one of the project’s houses, serving as caretaker without pay. 

By mutual understanding, he cultivates one bigha of land in exchange for his services. 

For the past three years, he has relied on kerosene lamps. 

After the project failed to clear unpaid bills, the Electricity Authority cut off the supply, Sukret Lal said.

Biratnagar Metropolitan City dreams of turning Baijanathpur into a full-fledged sports complex, with a swimming pool, covered hall and football ground alongside the cricket stadium. 

Mayor Nagesh Koirala admitted, “This is not a project the metropolis can sustain alone. During our tenure, we pushed to have the stadium recognised as a national pride project. Within our budget, we have only been able to support road access and lighting.”

For 27 years, political parties have prioritised the stadium in their manifestos. 

Yet, it has never been listed as a national pride project. 

Leaders across parties acknowledge the need for such a facility, especially as cricket holds great promise in Nepal. 

However, with construction never placed on the true priority list, players and coaches remain disheartened.