Bagmati Province's 'Shiva Circuit' Project Stalls Amid Leadership Changes

Makwanpur. The 'Shiva Circuit' project, highly prioritized by the Bagmati Province government, has stalled during its implementation phase.

The implementation of the project, initiated by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development to promote religious tourism, has proven ineffective.

The program, which was introduced by the previous government as a transformative plan for the province, has slowed down following a change in ministers. Former minister Aman Kumar Maske had prepared a plan to develop infrastructure connecting 64 Shiva Lingas within Bagmati Province to promote religious tourism.

Included in the fiscal year 2081/082 budget and policy program after completing preliminary feasibility studies, the project lost momentum when Maske left office. The government changed on 2082 Shrawan 20, leading to a new minister.

Maske, representing the CPN-UML in the former Congress-UML coalition government, was succeeded by Dr. Dinesh Chandra Devkota from the same party. Despite the party remaining the same, there is a lack of consistency in implementing the program.

Maske had resigned as a provincial assembly member to run for the House of Representatives, though he was defeated.

Due to Maske's efforts, 59.2 million rupees were allocated for the current fiscal year. According to Ministry Information Officer Basudev Dahal, 2.5 million rupees were allocated for the DPR and studies, while 56.7 million rupees were allocated across three offices for construction.

Although budget and responsibilities were assigned to three offices, none have commenced work. While the ministry has initiated the study and DPR phase, implementation at the district level has not progressed, Dahal noted.

He stated that the study began in the previous fiscal year 2080/081, and 2.5 million rupees were allocated for the current year. Clean Development Pvt. Ltd. is currently conducting the study under a contract worth 1.688 million rupees.

In the first phase, the draft DPR for Kusheshwar in Dumja, Sindhuli, has been presented to the ministry. Once suggestions are incorporated and the final version is received, construction can proceed, Dahal said.

Additionally, 18.9 million rupees were allocated to each of the three district offices—Sindhuli, Kathmandu, and Kavre—for their respective sections, but these funds remain unspent.

It will take some time to call for tenders for the project, which is still in the study phase. Dahal mentioned that tenders could be called once the Sindhuli DPR is completed, though the work is ongoing.

The ministry may make decisions regarding the budget implementation and construction for the other two districts, potentially using the Sindhuli DPR as a basis for tenders.

• What is the Shiva Circuit Project?

Former minister Maske had announced the 'Shiva Circuit' as a foundation for provincial prosperity and a hub for religious tourism. He aimed to connect 10 districts and attract Indian tourists.

Starting from Kusheshwar in Sindhuli and ending at Pashupatinath, the project aims to encompass 64 Shiva Lingas based on the 15th-century manuscript 'Himavat Khanda'. The trail includes not only Shiva Lingas but also meditation sites, rivers, and pilgrimage spots.

Maske stated that the project was designed to revive religious pilgrimage traditions while focusing on eco-friendly development, utilizing local resources, skills, and technology with community participation.

He added that the project could contribute to job creation, production, market development, and skill transfer.