Changunarayan Municipality representatives have raised concerns that poor road conditions leading to the popular tourist destination, Nagarkot, could severely impact the “Nagarkot Visit Year 2082.” Emphasizing the need for support from all sectors, municipal leaders highlighted the urgency of repairing the 15-kilometer stretch from Kamalbinayak to Nagarkot, which remains in a state of disrepair.
Changunarayan Mayor Jeevan Khatri stated, “During our first meeting after the election, we decided to celebrate Nagarkot Visit Year 2082 with grandeur. Preparations are underway, but we worry the road conditions might hinder our plans.” Speaking at a forum organized by the National Communication Center on the “Development and Potential of Changunarayan,” Khatri noted that the ongoing road issues remain a pressing concern.
The road, spanning wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the municipality, is riddled with potholes, becoming muddy in the monsoon and excessively dusty during the dry season. Although plans to upgrade religious, historical, and tourist sites within Changunarayan are in place, Khatri pointed out that responsibility for the Kamalbinayak–Nagarkot road lies with the federal government. Delays in repairing this route could inconvenience tourists, potentially hampering visitation numbers.
Despite a construction contract awarded in FY 2070/71, the road remains incomplete, with numerous appeals from locals and a struggle committee demanding faster work. Though promises were made to complete the road before Dashain, Mayor Khatri noted, “Dashain has passed, and now Tihar is almost over, yet there’s no sign of completion.”
Municipality Ready to Take Over Road Construction
In response to persistent delays, municipal leaders, including Deputy Mayor Ramesh Budhathoki, have even approached Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for intervention. Budhathoki shared, “We’ve informed the Prime Minister about the situation, and he has assured us of support for completing the road.” Budhathoki further proposed that, if the federal government cannot fulfill its obligations, the municipality should take over the project, stating, “If the federal government cancels the contract, we are ready to upgrade the road using our municipal budget.”
“Rebranding” Changunarayan for Sustainable Tourism Growth
Ward Chairperson Dhan Bahadur Lama of Ward 6 also emphasized that poor road conditions are deterring tourists from visiting Nagarkot, even as the local economy strives to recover from the 2015 earthquake and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic. According to Lama, “It’s essential to rebrand Nagarkot not just as a destination for sunrise, sunset, and mountain views, but as a site of historical and religious significance.”
Changunarayan Municipality has been actively working on several community improvement projects, including restoring temples, building traditional rest stops (falchas), and enhancing religious sites. Additionally, Ward 2 Chairperson Som Pradhan announced plans to implement a health program delivering services directly to residents through the “Ward Chairperson’s Public Health Program.”
The Nagarkot Visit Year initiative aims to showcase the area’s natural and cultural beauty. However, local leaders stress that unless the road conditions improve soon, this ambitious campaign could be undermined, limiting the area’s tourism potential.
Source: RSS
