Baglung buspark begins operation after 23 years

After 23 years of work, the Baglung Buspark is now officially operational. Gandaki Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey inaugurated the modern facility at Daavgara in Baglung Municipality-4 on Tuesday.

The project began in 2001 after 59 ropanis of land was allocated to Baglung Municipality for the buspark. However, only 17 ropanis were used for construction, with the remaining land set to be returned to the original landowners for residential use. While the foundation was laid in 2018, construction did not commence until 2021. Four years after its completion, the buspark was finally inaugurated.

The construction was funded by a Rs 90m loan from the Municipality Development Fund. Delays in repayment occurred because the buspark was not immediately operational after its completion. Disputes among local authorities, the buspark management committee, and Baglung Municipality contributed to the delays, along with challenges related to road access. According to Baglung Mayor Basanta Kumar Shrestha, the facility was opened using the existing road infrastructure, with plans to build a better connection to the main road later.

A 12-point agreement was reached between the municipality and landowners, outlining the return of the unused land. Alongside the buspark’s operation, the process of plotting and returning land to the original owners will begin. This has brought joy to locals and landowners, especially the 41 who had provided land for the project 23 years ago.

Subash Chandra Rajbhandari, chairperson of the buspark management committee, expressed his satisfaction with the buspark’s opening. However, he noted that transport operators have raised concerns about the current road’s narrowness for large buses. Rajbhandari said that a new access road has been opened, and plans are underway for its expansion.

According to Rajbhandari, half of the land contributed by landowners will be returned, with the municipality responsible for providing road access, drainage, drinking water, and electricity. Once the land is mapped, the management team will ensure its timely return to the owners, as stipulated in the agreement.

Mayor Shrestha confirmed that the process of returning land has already begun. He acknowledged the financial strain caused by the buspark’s delayed operation, as the municipality has been paying Rs 10m annually in loan principal and interest. With the buspark now functional, this financial burden is expected to ease.

The municipality is also required to develop 127 residential plots on the remaining land. Mayor Shrestha assured landowners that plans have been made to provide essential services like water, drainage, roads, and electricity as part of the agreement. Additionally, he has requested the provincial government to waive land ownership transfer fees, noting that many landowners may struggle to pay the taxes.

Chief Minister Pandey reaffirmed the Gandaki Province Government’s commitment to assisting with the construction of the access road. He also pledged to support tax exemptions for landowners within legal boundaries.