Relocating cricket stadium from TU ground is costly and complicated

By Raman Paudel, Kathmandu, Apr. 27: It has been two weeks since Tribhuvan University (TU) issued a 35-day ultimatum for the return of lands occupied by various companies and individuals.

While a few organisations have started the process of returning the lands, it is believed that the task entails complicated process due to various government agencies occupying the TU land.

In the meantime, the process of returning the land in the name of Tribhuvan University has begun. However, there is a complication for many government-based companies and bodies, including the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

A senior official from TU stated that completing the land return process within the deadline is quite challenging owing to various legal complications and other issues. He also mentioned that there is uncertainty regarding how to handle the land currently occupied by the government agencies.

Last year, the Land and Immovable Property Search Committee of TU prepared a report on the encroachment of its land by 18 religious and social organisations and submitted it to the government.

The report also revealed that 160 ropanis of land were provided to the BP Koirala Planetarium, 281 ropanis to the Agriculture and Horticulture Centre, and 25 ropanis to the Ayurveda Research and Training Centre under various government agencies at different times.

Similarly, five ropanis were provided to the Metropolitan Police Circle Kirtipur, and four ropanis of land to the Metropolitan Police Circle Kalimati for the expansion of its branch within the university campus.

Additionally, 60 ropanis were given to the Republic Monument, 107 ropanis to the Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Management Board, 108 ropanis to the Laboratory Secondary School, and 10 ropanis to the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh for 20 years in 2016.

The committee report has suggested that these organisations have also encroached on TU land and should be brought under TU immediately.

According to the report, TU earlier provided land to several organisations at various times, 6 ropanis and 12 annas to the Nepal Professors' Association, as well as 76 ropanis and 4 annas to Global IME Bank, the Cricket Stadium, Lions Club International, and Nepal Bank.

Difficult to return the land

Some government agencies have been operating offices on leased land. And their lease agreements have not even expired. In such a situation, the TU official said that it is difficult to remove those offices within the 35-day ultimatum.

TU has come to the conclusion that some lands cannot be brought back by TU's efforts alone. The court has ordered that 125 ropanis of land in Naikap be retained in the name of TU, but locals have built houses on that land.

"The court verdict has brought the land under TU's ownership, but all the land is surrounded by locals," said a varsity's official. "The people of Kirtipur have also built walls around the land in Kirtipur. There is a situation where those walls need to be demolished, but we alone cannot do so without the government's support."

TU wants to vacate cricket stadium

The issue of the land being cleared to vacate the TU Cricket Stadium has drawn the attention of many after the TU recently issued a 35-day ultimatum.

Raj Bahadur Rai, chief of the General Administration Division, said that a 35-day ultimatum applies equally to all agencies.

Speaking with The Rising Nepal, Rai stated that the ultimatum letter has been issued for CAN as well. The lease agreement between TU and CAN will remain in effect until mid-May.

Recently, contradictory circumstances have emerged in this connection. The previous government allocated a substantial amount of budget for the stadium's infrastructure.

“We have issued a letter based on the report submitted by the investigation committee. Whether the cricket stadium or other structures should be demolished or taken back is an additional issue. But we have only fulfilled our responsibility." He said, adding that the government is also aware of some agencies and  there can be dialogue and discussion on how to remove those structures supported by the government. 

Meanwhile, CAN spokesperson Chhumbi Lama said that the letter has not been received. Speaking with The Rising Nepal, Lama said that the CAN board meeting has decided to write to TU for lease renewal.

Earlier, the CAN board meeting held in the first week of April decided to request the government, through the National Sports Council, to extend the contract agreement period.

Administration Division Chief Rai claimed that TU does not want the Cricket Stadium on its premises, as the big matches have badly disturbed its academic atmosphere.