The Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry has demanded a decision after discussing with local stakeholders, saying the road expansion plan will put hundreds of businesses and historical structures at risk.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
The Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the government to reconsider the expansion of Birgunj's main road and demanded that the alignment be implemented as per the previous decision, while protecting the market area of historical and commercial importance.
The association, in a memorandum submitted to the President of the ruling party Rastriya Swatantra Party, Ravi Lamichhane, on Thursday in Kathmandu, stated that any plan to displace the market area in the name of development of Birgunj will not be acceptable.
The memorandum states that Birgunj is the main trade gateway of the country and that the import and export from here has been making a significant contribution to the national economy. Therefore, the association says that the impact on local trade, industry, historical heritage and the lives of the general public should be evaluated with priority while planning the road expansion.
The memorandum submitted by a team led by the association's president Hari Prasad Gautam and its office bearers states that in 2072 BS, the Council of Ministers decided to change the alignment of the old road in the Birgunj section of the Tribhuvan Highway and build a new road connecting the integrated check post in the Parwanipur-Bahuari area.
The association argues that it is not politically appropriate to prepare to expand the road from the old market area when the new road has already been built and put into operation. The association has stated that if the road is expanded from the old market area, hundreds of businesses, houses, monasteries and historical structures will be affected. This will not only negatively affect the economic activities of Birgunj, but it will also displace commercial establishments that have been operating for decades, affect local employment and put cultural heritage at risk.
The memorandum suggests that the currently operating alternative route and ICP connecting road should be used effectively while preserving the historical market area of Birgunj. Stating that it would not be appropriate to move forward with a plan that would obliterate the existence of the old city in the name of development, it has been urged to take a decision on the road expansion issue only after adequate discussions with the local government, concerned bodies, businessmen and citizens.
The association has mentioned in the memorandum that in international practice, priority is given to the development of alternative bypasses or outer routes while preserving historical and dense commercial areas. Stating that the same practice should be adopted in the context of Birgunj as well, the association has demanded from the government to implement the previous decision in a way that preserves the commercial, cultural and historical identity of the city.
The association has stated that since Birgunj is the main economic center of Nepal, the development plan here will affect not only local businessmen but also the entire national economy. Therefore, the memorandum has demanded that a decision on the main road expansion be made with a long-term perspective and that the preservation of the old market area be given high priority. Understanding the memorandum, Lamichhane said that he would convey the association's demand to the concerned bodies.
