Lumbini Province's Smart Refresh Center Project Faces Budget Hurdles

Butwal. In 2077, then-Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Shankar Pokharel, initiated a plan to construct five smart refresh centers along the East-West Highway. To date, the first phase of construction has been completed for three of these centers, while work on the remaining two has yet to begin.

The provincial government's plan was to build these centers to provide facilities for long-distance vehicles to stop, allowing drivers and passengers to rest, access healthy food and snacks, and utilize restrooms and bathing facilities.

The Lumbini Province Ministry of Water Supply, Rural and Urban Development stated that the first phase of construction has been completed in Sainamaina (Rupandehi), Chandrauta (Kapilvastu), and Bardaghat (Nawalparasi). The ministry noted that the process of handing over these completed centers to local authorities is underway.

The first phase includes basic amenities such as parking, toilets, and water supply, while the second phase will involve the construction of rest rooms, dining areas, and charging stations.

Gun Nidhi Pokharel, Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Division under the ministry, told Ratopati that discussions are ongoing regarding handing over the operation of these centers to local levels following the completion of the first phase. 

He explained that while the project was designed to be implemented in phases, a lack of budget has hindered the commencement of the second phase.

Although there were plans to build centers in Deukhuri (Dang) and Bardiya, the Lumbini Province Ministry of Water Supply, Rural and Urban Development reported that work in Deukhuri has not started due to forest land clearance issues, and land management remains unresolved in Bardiya.

What do local leaders say? 

Abid Husain, Chief of the Kapilvastu Water Supply Office, confirmed that the first phase of the center in Chandrauta, Kapilvastu, has been completed. He noted that the building, toilets, boundary walls, and boring work are finished, and there are plans to operate the facility after further discussions with the Shivraj Municipality.

The contract for the first phase here was worth 40,267,661 rupees.

Similarly, in Sainamaina, Rupandehi, the construction company has completed the first phase. Bhimeshwor Mama JV was awarded the contract on 2077 Mangsir 12 for 35,579,000 rupees at Pipal Danda, Sainamaina.

Prakash KC, Chief of the Rupandehi Water Supply Office, stated that while the physical work for the first phase of the one-bigha center is complete, there is a lack of budget for the second phase.

Sainamaina Municipality Mayor Phanendra Prasad Sharma stated that the municipality is ready to take over operations once the construction is fully completed. 

In Nawalparasi, the first phase of the refresh center located within the Parijat Community Forest, 300 meters off the highway in Bardaghat Municipality-4, has been completed. Access road construction is currently underway. Dinesh Prakash Shah, Chief of the Nawalparasi Water Supply Office, said the access road will be finished in about a month, after which the center will be handed over to the Bardaghat Municipality for operation.

Division Chief Pokharel stated that once these centers are operational, the current practice of drivers stopping vehicles anywhere along the highway for passengers will end. He emphasized the necessity of these centers for tired drivers and passengers on long-distance routes.

He said, 'Once the refresh centers are fully operational, they will promote hygiene and help reduce traffic accidents caused by fatigue and sleep deprivation.' 

He added that there are plans to ensure the centers are passenger and driver-friendly, with provisions to conduct technical checks on long-distance vehicles before they continue their journey.