Incident Reports

Biratnagar: The construction of sky bridges uncertain after locals protest.

2021-09-14

Province 1, Morang, Biratnagar

Locals in Biratnagar protested against the construction of sky bridges at different locations in Biratnagar. The metropolitan had decided to construct sky bridges at Kanchanbari Chowk, Bargachhi Chowk and Buspark after surveying by the technical team of the metropolitan. However, the construction work has stopped after the protests from the locals and few elected representatives. 

The metropolitan invited bids on February-2020 and awarded the contract worth 2.47 crores in total to two bidders in February 2021, with a bond to complete the construction within mid-December 2022. The CEO of one of the contractors named Kala Builders,   who got a contract worth 1.79 crores in total for the construction of two bridges, one each in Bargachhi and Buspark said that they have started the foundation work of the bridge  5 months after the inaugural.

The locals protested and restricted the foundation work at the Buspark site. The contractor said that they had to shift the construction site a little further to Ghas Chowk as there was not enough space available for construction on the previously allotted site. Also the metropolitan after consultation with the Morang Chamber of Commerce and the provincial government changed the site from Buspark to Ghas Chowk. The locals have demanded to start construction at the  Buspark Chowk itself. The metropolitan has stated that a provincial member of the Morang district also submitted a letter requesting not to change the construction site from Buspark to Ghas Chowk.

Details and Impacts
Violent / Non-violent Nonviolent
Primary Form Program Interference/Obstruction
Primary Cause Access/control of public land
Secondary Cause Issues related to tenders and the awarding of public contracts
Actor 1 - Number of people Not Available
Actor 1 - Affiliations Citizen/Individuals
Actor 1 - Youth na
Actor 2 - Number of people Not Available
Actor 2 - Affiliation (Target) Local authorities (incl VDC, district, gov. line agencies at local level except education and health)
Actor 2 - Youth na
National/Online Media

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