Birgunj: The Save Birgunj Struggle Committee closed the corporate outlets along the main road in the town half-day today, protesting a project to widen the roadway from the Gandak Chowk to Miteri Bridge.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Supreme Court had earlier quashed a writ filed against the road-widening drive. With this decision, the Road Division, Hetauda circulated a letter asking for the road demarcation, resulting in locals’ ire. The major market area was shut down till 12:00 noon by the Committee.
Committee coordinator and Birgunj submetropolis-9 ward chair Jawahar Prasad Gupta stated that the Division ordered the demarcation of the road while the full text of the court verdict was awaited. He explained that the move aimed to disrupt the trade hub of historic Birgunj, uniting house owners and traders against it. Over 1,100 house owners could be rendered homeless if the project is implemented.
“Any development initiative that forces the locals to be squatters is not acceptable for us,” Gupta said. Sanjib Sharma, whose house is close to the Mahabir Temple in Birgunj, expressed concerns that his five-member family would be left homeless if the project proceeds.
Division’s Chief Guru Prasad Adhikari confirmed the circulation of the letter regarding the roadway boundary, marking 25 meters each.
The Supreme Court nullified five writs against the project on February 20, with a division bench of justice Binod Sharma and Mahesh Sharma paving the way for the Division to proceed with the implementation.