RSP MP Lima Adhikari Slams Biratnagar Settlement Conditions
Kathmandu. National Independent Party (RSP) Member of Parliament Lima Adhikari Acharya has drawn the government's attention to the pathetic condition of the integrated settlement constructed on the banks of the Keshalia (Budhi Khola) river in Biratnagar Metropolitan City-12.
Speaking at the House of Representatives meeting on Thursday, she stated that the settlement, built through a tripartite partnership between the metropolitan city, Habitat Nepal, and the private sector, has become a burden of debt rather than a safe housing solution for the landless.
She said, "The integrated settlement built on the riverbank in Biratnagar Ward No. 12 is 'developed' only in name. This settlement stands as an extreme example of deprivation. The settlement built through the tripartite partnership of the metropolitan city, Habitat Nepal, and the private sector Jiban Bikas is not housing for the landless."
She mentioned that even basic infrastructure is lacking in the settlement. According to her, there are no arrangements for roads, drainage, drinking water, and electricity services. Furthermore, she stated that the nearly 100 households built on the riverbank are at risk of flooding even during normal rainfall.
She added, "Is this management or policy-level fraud? There is no road, no drainage, no drinking water, and no electricity. Built in a depression on the riverbank without protective embankments, these 100 households get inundated even in light rain."
