The construction of a dam along the Narayani River has been halted due to political disputes. Chitwan National Park had given a deadline of January 15 for the dam to be completed in Balghatta, Madhyabindu Municipality-2, to prevent riverbank erosion. However, the project was paused due to ongoing political conflicts, as confirmed by the ward chairman of Madhyabindu-2, Ram Bhakta Adhikari.
Last year, in October, a flood breached the dam and flooded settlements in wards 2, 4, 6, 12, and 15. While no lives were lost, the flood turned fertile land into barren land, and many families were displaced. Areas such as Nandpur, Sitapur, and Dhajah remain at high risk of further damage from riverbank erosion.
The Narayani River Management Project had initiated the construction of the dam at Balghatta, with nearly 10 crore rupees allocated for the project. The plan involved placing gabion wire mesh, large stones, and concrete blocks to strengthen the riverbanks. However, due to political disagreements, the project was temporarily halted until mid-February.
Local residents have expressed frustration, blaming the delay on political leaders from the Congress and UML parties. They fear that if the dam is not completed before the monsoon, the area could experience even more severe flooding. Victims of last year’s flood, like Dilliram Thnet and Narayan Prasad Thnet, have voiced their concerns about the delays in construction.
The Narayani River Management Project has confirmed that the work was suspended because of the political dispute. Division engineer Prakash Lamsal stated that the project could not proceed due to the ongoing conflicts. The work was further delayed after some individuals issued threats three days before the Chitwan National Park’s deadline.
Chitwan National Park had outlined specific guidelines to avoid disturbing wildlife habitats and emphasized using river materials from designated areas. Park officials have stated that the work would resume after February, following an agreement between the involved parties. Conservation officer Madhu Nepali noted that political disagreements were the cause of the delay. This situation mirrors a similar disaster in 2001 when a flood destroyed the Dhajah village, displacing over 100 families, some of whom still live in unorganized settlements.
