Biratnagar-19 Sees Significant Development in Infrastructure, Health, and Education

Biratnagar. The area considered very backward in terms of development within Biratnagar Metropolitan City was Jhapa Baijnathpur, that is, Ward No. 19 of the metropolis. Due to being added to the metropolis late, this ward had to face neglect and lack of infrastructure for a long time.

Until four years ago, the roads here used to be filled with mud in the rainy season and dust in the dry season, while the condition of health and education was extremely dire, but after the local elections, due to the active participation of elected representatives, Biratnagar-19 has now progressed in development.

In the past, the only road in Biratnagar-19 that was walkable was the Milan Chowk-Maheshpur road section. That too was in a dilapidated condition. Now, there has been a big change in that ward in the field of road infrastructure. 'After we were elected, we started working by prioritizing the development of the ward. In this ward, where there was only one road in a dilapidated condition in the past, about 20 to 22 kilometers of road has now been paved,' said Ward Chairman Shyam Ghimire.

In addition, for the stability and protection of the roads, retaining walls have been constructed in about 45 to 50 kilometers, and by intensifying the graveling work, the ward has been largely freed from mud, he said.

Although haphazardly dug roads in new plotting areas have become a challenge for the ward, the road network has been systematically organized by planning drains, culverts, and upgrading roads.

The biggest and most commendable work done in Biratnagar-19 is the upgrading of the health sector. The compulsion of the locals to go to expensive hospitals in the main market of Biratnagar for general treatment has been ended forever by the ward office. The previous general health post has now been developed as the 'City Level Basic Hospital', the best in the metropolis.

'We have made a big leap in the health sector. Baijnathpur Health Post has been upgraded to a basic hospital, where 24-hour emergency service, maternity service (birthing center), modern laboratory (lab), and free medicines and treatment are provided through the government's health insurance program,' said Ward Chairman Ghimire. MBBS doctors are available 24 hours a day at the hospital. Ambulance service is also available. Ghimire says that after this service was implemented, poor and lower-class families have started receiving health services in their own ward.

The condition of the 4 community schools operating within the ward was very weak in the past. Along with dilapidated physical structures, student attendance was low. However, the ward office has brought about significant improvements in the physical and technical infrastructure of the schools by continuously collaborating with the school management committees.

Now, filters have been installed for clean drinking water in some community schools in the ward. Internet and CCTV cameras have been installed for communication and security. 'Yesterday, there was no environment for children to come and study in the schools. Today, with the availability of educational materials, reconstruction of physical structures, and improvement in the learning environment, the schools look vibrant. Two of our community schools are operating in English medium and they are gaining recognition as model schools,' said Ward Chairman Ghimire.

Ward members Laxman Sardar and Nijnarayan Rajwanshi said that the ward has succeeded in bringing back children from poor families who were enrolled in private schools to community schools by conducting door-to-door programs and parent awareness campaigns.

The most complex and sensitive problem in Biratnagar-19 is the management of slum settlements. There are about 1,000 households of landless families in the ward, who have been deprived of housing and land rights for years.

For the long-term solution of this problem, Ward Chairman Ghimire said that government land should be utilized, a decision should be made by the Council of Ministers, and land ownership certificates should be provided to the landless.

'We have enough government land. Our plan is to get land ownership certificates based on local possession through a cabinet decision and build a well-equipped model integrated settlement there. This settlement will have a playground, school, organized roads, and complete sanitation arrangements. Approximately 50 crore rupees budget is required from the federal and provincial governments for the construction of this large structure, for which we are continuously making efforts,' Ghimire said. He said that if this plan is successful, there will be historical improvement in the living standards of the landless community.