Chitwan. The dream of the people of Bharatpur to beautify the banks of the Narayani river in the middle of Narayangadh Bazaar will not be fulfilled.

Though Bharatpur Metropolitan City (BMC) has worked in coordination with the federal government to develop the riverbank area in a ‘sibich pattern’, it has not been able to save the structures due to floods.

The metropolis wanted to beautify this place where from meetings, conferences, festivals, concerts of big parties to enjoy and walk with the cool breeze of Narayani in the evenings and mornings. Even in the afternoon of winter, people come here to enjoy and take pictures. The Narayani river is flowing nearby and the beauty around is enchanting.

Acting Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitrasen Adhikari, said that although the municipality wanted to develop the river bank in a ‘sibich’ format, it was not possible due to the floods in the river every year. Last year, most of the structures were washed away and the remaining structures have been swept away. “We had planned to make it a beautiful tourist destination by collaborating with the federal and provincial governments,” he said. At the request of the then mayor Renu Dahal, the federal government had constructed foottrails, RCC structures and footpaths.

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation had constructed the foottrail and the Narayani River Management Project had constructed the RCC structure in the Sibinch model. The Bharatpur Metropolitan City and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry had constructed the footpath. Before the floods, the area was beautiful and charming due to mosaic tiles, grass, greenery and surrounding plants. In the evening, when people went out for a walk on the banks of the Narayani, there used to be a different hustle and bustle.

According to Raju Shrestha, former president of the Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Tourism had done the work of a foot trail. The Ministry of Tourism had invited a tender of Rs 65 million for the construction of a 2.4 km walkway, parking and garden. Similarly, Bharatpur Metropolitan City had constructed a footpath at a cost of Rs 97 lakh in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

All the structures built elsewhere except the Jorkusum Park area have been swept away by the flood. The Narayani River Management Project had built a 650-meter-long RCC structure with 11 steps. At present, only this structure is left in the river area. These structures were built in 2079 BS at a cost of Rs 15.92 crore. Shrestha, a former president of the association, said that the river bank could not be beautified despite wanting to make the river bank a beautiful tourist spot. He said that the structures in the middle of the river should be removed and the river should be allowed to flow smoothly.

Chiranjivi Subedi, president of the Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the association has been compelled to spend around Rs 40 lakh to manage the river bank for the festival every two years. He said that even though Bharatpur Metropolitan City takes the rent of the area, they have to carry out the work. He complained that the structures built there are washed away by the floods every year. He said that work should be done so that it can be preserved in a sustainable manner.

Former president of the association, Rajan Gautam, who is also a leader of the RSP, said that the investment made in the area is like water in the sand and the program should be diverted and the river should be allowed to flow in its course. He said, “Now we have to worry about the Narayangadh bazaar. We should not worry about the fair and festival, which is held like a haat bazaar.” ”

For the first time, the water level of the Narayani river has risen in the market area. Locals believe that the Narayangadh market is also at risk. Prabhat Kumar Joshi, who has been living in Narayangadh for a long time, expressed concern that if the erosion of the river continues, the Narayangadh market may be at risk. Joshi, who has been living in Narayangadh since 2019, said that the government should immediately pay special attention to the conservation of the Narayani river. He said that the future of Narayangadh Bazaar will be in danger if the settlements are expanded on the banks of the river.

Divisional Engineer of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Santosh Acharya, said that after the Bhotekoshi flood, the water level of the river may have increased and the flow of water might have entered the market area. He said that work should be done by mapping the river bank in a different way to beautify the riverbank. He said that although the metropolis wanted to make this area on the banks of the river as a tourist destination like the sea shores of the world, it was not possible.

The Narayani river witnessed the biggest flood in 60 years on Sunday. The measurement at the water measurement centre at Devghat at 11:40 am had reached 11.93 metres.

According to Sumit Adhikari, chief of the Narayani Basin Office, Chitwan, the previous measurement of 11.6 meters was recorded at the place on September 28, 2081. According to him, water measurement was started at Devghat since 1963. According to the data so far, Sunday’s flood is the biggest in 60 years. Due to this flood, the structures on the banks of the river have been washed away.