Beautification Project of Badki Pokhari in Musaili Stalled for Six Years

The beautification of Badki Pokhari located in Malangwa Municipality-7, Sarlahi, was initiated by the Madhesh Province government in the fiscal year 2076/77. A contract worth NPR 61,293,355 was signed in Ashwin 2077 (September/October 2020) for the project, yet only 23.58 percent of the work has been completed to date. Despite multiple deadline extensions, local residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the unfinished work and the performance of both the government and the construction company.

Badki Pokhari in Musaili has been a central place of religious faith, social gatherings, and events for local residents for many years. It becomes particularly crowded with devotees during the Chhath festival. When the Madhesh Province government launched the beautification plan under the ‘Chief Minister’s Cleanliness Campaign’ in fiscal year 2076/77, it generated considerable enthusiasm among the locals. However, nearly six years after the project started, the beautification remains incomplete.

The project has also impacted the income of the local school. The pond belongs to Shri Baudhidevi Janata Secondary School, which used to lease it annually for fish farming. Before the beautification began, the pond had been leased for five years at NPR 11.7 million. Principal Devendra Dubey stated that the school has been losing over NPR 2 million annually due to the halted leasing arrangement.

Isa Mikrani, Ward Chairperson of Malangwa Municipality-7, Musaili, has repeatedly raised these concerns with the relevant authorities but reports no response. He mentioned, “Our only remaining option now appears to be protests and hunger strikes.” Furthermore, the Infrastructure Development Office has indicated that the project deadline has been extended multiple times in contractual agreements with the construction company. Locals continue to express discontent with both the government bodies and the construction firm involved.