After the reconstruction of Nuwakot Palace came to a halt for four years, the locals are now appealing to the Prime Minister

29 December, Nuwakot. The reconstruction of Nuwakot Palace, initiated by the Chinese government, has been at a standstill for four years. In response to this extended work hiatus, the local community is preparing to appeal to the Prime Minister. Despite the passage of four years since the work suspension, there are no indications of its resumption. China, having initially engaged in the reconstruction through an agreement with the government, abruptly halted the project midway. The absence of any reconstruction activity predates the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is no clear commitment from China to resume the work.

In light of China’s cessation of reconstruction efforts in the Nuwakot Palace area, local stakeholders have decided to appeal to the Prime Minister through the Chief District Officer. Badri Prasad Aryal, a former Deputy Secretary of the Government of Nepal and a Nuwakot resident, announced his intention to bring the matter to the Prime Minister’s attention via the Chief District Officer on January 16th. Aryalaya has called upon citizens from Nuwakot and the entire district to participate in a memorandum submission program.

Although the work was initially postponed due to the New Year and the COVID-19 pandemic, China has not resumed operations even after four new years. Locals express doubts about the reasons for the delay. Chinese workers, who arrived during the pandemic, performed retrofitting by tightening nuts on bars. Despite multiple inspections by officials ranging from the ambassador to the chief executive officer of the Reconstruction Authority, no progress has been observed.

Certain locals speculate that China halted the work as a result of hastening land acquisition in Ratmate of Belkotgadhi municipality in Nuwakot under the pretext of the MCC during the previous KP Sharma Oli government. Concerns are voiced about the possibility that the reconstruction of Nuwakot Palace is influenced by geopolitical considerations.

While other projects undertaken by China proceed as scheduled, suspicions arise among the local populace that the delay in the Nuwakot Palace reconstruction is deliberate, possibly an attempt to stall the work by assuming responsibility. The first phase of the agreement involves constructing the palace of Nuwakot Palace, followed by the temples of Taleju Bhawani, Ranga Mahal, Lampati, and Setopati.