Pokhara, 22 May: The bus park at Prithvichowk in Pokhara–9 has become an example of how development can be obstructed when government officials and political parties act arbitrarily. Of the 205 ropanis of land acquired in 2032 BS for building the bus park, only 26 ropanis remain vacant today.
Most of the land is now occupied by around 450 huts of so-called “landless settlers.” In the name of compensation, the Pokhara Valley Town Development Committee distributed land in exchange and even sold plots at throwaway prices. The bus park land, which is connected to the highway, has been left with only an entry road for buses, while ownership of plots on either side has been transferred to individuals. In total, 20 ropanis 5 annas of land were distributed as compensation, and 16 ropanis 14 annas were sold at concessional rates.
At present, the committee holds land ownership certificates for only 148 ropanis 12 annas under plot number 8664. Even after five decades, construction of the bus park has not begun. Instead, many officials of the committee were more focused on illegal earnings. Officials were found to have sold land in non-transparent ways and even allocated plots in their own names and those of their relatives. Delays in compensating landowners were used as an excuse for such irregular activities.
Around 2060 BS, a plot near the Pokhara bus park was valued at around NPR 5 million. However, officials sold bus park land as plots for as low as NPR 180,000 to NPR 300,000. Reports indicate that instead of allocating one plot per family, some families received up to three plots. Those identified as “landless settlers” claim they paid money directly to the officials while receiving these plots.
Deals conducted by officials themselves
A 2064 BS report states: “Suryabahadur (Sitaram) K.C., Birendra K.C., Kshetrabahadur K.C., Bishnu Bansatola, and Ashok Palikhe invited landowners to Taragaon Resort in Kathmandu and sold plots at NPR 200,000 each.”
During the tenure of committee chairman Ashok Palikhe, a decision was made to provide one plot to those owning four ropanis of land in the bus park area. However, in 2060 BS, instead of one plot per four ropanis, two plots were distributed. Palikhe said, “The decision was made during my tenure, but I did not implement it.” During the tenures of his successors, Kshetrabahadur K.C. and Bishnu Bansatola, land was sold arbitrarily. Even Bansatola’s wife, Hiradevi Bansatola, was found to own a plot there. Devbahadur Nepali, mayor of Dhorpatan Municipality in Baglung, and Bishnumaya Pannachan, operator of Hotel Deurali in Mahendrapul, were also found to have received plots. There were even cases of land being allocated under fictitious names.
Land records from the Land Management Office, Kaski, show that about a dozen individuals sold their plots the very next day after acquiring ownership. Pokhara Metropolitan City has issued a notice to clear the bus park land by Jestha 9. Mayor Dhanraj Acharya emphasized that building the bus park is a matter of pride for Pokhara. He said, “There are suggestions to build the bus park across the entire acquired area, while some suggest building it only on land with ownership certificates. There are also settlements of landless people and a Sahara school. We plan to manage genuine landless settlers properly and proceed with construction.”
Landless settlements began here around 2036 BS, and now there are five clusters. Although most houses are temporary, more than a dozen permanent buildings have also been constructed. Nearly all houses have access to electricity and water, and the internal roads are paved. It is said that landless settlers were brought there during the tenure of ward chairmen Bishnu Prasad Bansatola and Jayalal Pun.
Studies show that 37 plots were sold in one phase and 11 in another from land owned by the committee. The committee is now under the jurisdiction of Pokhara Metropolitan City. Some of the sold plots have been developed into rental huts.
Demand for investigation into land transactions
After the formation of a new government at the federal level, plans to clear the Pokhara bus park have moved forward. Political parties and the general public have demanded an investigation into the arbitrarily distributed land and plots sold at prices far below market value, and called for the construction of the bus park across the entire area.
Former committee chairman Bishwaprakash Lamichhane has also demanded an investigation into the sale of bus park land and irregular distribution of compensation plots. He said, “There must be a proper investigation, punishment for those responsible, and cancellation of the land registrations. A well-managed and modern bus park should be built on the entire acquired land.”
Civil rights activist Ram Bahadur Poudel agrees, stating, “There is no alternative to building the bus park. Removing the landless settlers while allowing arbitrarily distributed plots to remain would go against the principles of natural justice.” Even the landless settlers living in the area say they would not obstruct the construction if they are properly rehabilitated.
