Chitwan leaders urge PM Oli to fast-track 23-point development plan

KATHMANDU: Leaders from the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML in Chitwan have jointly submitted a detailed 23-point development proposal to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, urging continuity of ongoing projects and allocation of funds for new initiatives in the district.

During a meeting held on Thursday evening, Nepali Congress District President Rajeshwar Khanal and UML District Chairperson Kamaj Pathak handed over the comprehensive demand list to the Prime Minister, emphasizing the need to accelerate both short-term and long-term developmental works.

Key demands included the continuation and expansion of river embankments along Narayani, Rapti, and Riu Rivers, the extension of Bharatpur Airport and initiation of nighttime flight services, and the construction of ring roads in Bharatpur and Kalika municipalities.

Other proposed infrastructure projects include the Chitwan District-level ring road, Bharatpur–Bhandara–Uttarakhand Road, Thori–Madi Road, Dhrubaghat–Ghosraghat–Narayani River–Nawalparasi Postal Highway, and the Bhandara–Malekhu–Chepang Road.

Khanal emphasized the need for immediate budget allocation for these routes.

The delegation also proposed the establishment of the Madi Tourism Development Board, with a focus on promoting key tourist destinations, systematic development of the religious site Devghat Dham, and the creation of storage and marketing facilities for agricultural products.

Budget allocation was also requested for the Bhoirle–Dahakhani Road, Uperdang Gadhi Road, and the Shaktikhor Industrial Zone.

Another major demand was to blacktop the road passing through the Chitwan National Park that leads to Madi.

The eight-point long-term development agenda included the implementation of the Saptagandaki Multipurpose Project and the Trishuli–Hugdi–Shaktikhor Multipurpose Project, establishment of an alternative route for the Narayanghat–Muglin Highway, development of the Kerung–Thori International Trade Route, and the upgrade of Bharatpur Hospital into a full-fledged medical college.

Additionally, the delegation urged that the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital be upgraded into a national-level academic institution.

Leaders also advocated for the establishment of a direct trade checkpoint with India through Basantapur in Madi, a multi-technical school, and an innovation center to promote research and development in Chitwan.

Congress District President Khanal reported that Prime Minister Oli responded positively to the demands.

Acknowledging the timely submission, the Prime Minister assured that the proposal would be forwarded to the concerned ministries for further action.

The meeting was attended by central leaders, Members of Parliament representing Chitwan from both parties, and local representatives.