BAJURA, NOVEMBER 28
In Jukot, Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality-3 of Bajura, two buildings constructed at a cost of over Rs 23 million now stand abandoned, deteriorating atop Jukot hill. The structures, intended for a municipal campus, were completed more than four years ago but remain unused.
According to the municipality's information officer, Suvista Bahadur Shahi, a total of Rs 23,660,326 was spent on the project, including Rs 771,190 for land acquisition, Rs 15,889,136 for building construction, and Rs 6,000,000 for the compound wall. The construction contract itself was awarded for over Rs 30 million.
Rural Municipality Chair Bharat Bahadur Rokaya confirmed that the buildings have remained unused since construction. "They were built during the previous term, before I was elected. Despite attempts to put them to use, nothing materialized," he said.
The land for the buildings is still registered under Shambhusunda Secondary School, which has refused to relocate. The new structures and the school are only about 200 meters apart, but disputes among locals, particularly between Lower and Upper Jukot residents, have prevented their use.
Attempts to operate a school, ward office, or health post in the buildings were unsuccessful, leaving existing facilities downhill overcrowded. Jukot Health Post continues to function from an old, rundown building, while the ward office also lacks proper space.
The municipality says efforts are ongoing to resolve disputes and bring the abandoned buildings into operation. Meanwhile, the neglected structures are now reportedly occupied by cattle.
