Parties pledge to upgrade Biratnagar to metropolis

Biratnagar, May 12

With the second phase of civic polls approaching, political parties have pledged to upgrade Biratnagar to metropolis by making it their major election agenda.

United Democratic Madhesi Front and other parties have set the agenda of making Biratnagar metropolis for the upcoming polls. Madhesi parties that have been voicing discontent with the new statute said making Biratnagar a metropolis would be their major agenda if environment was created for them to participate in the polls.

Rastriya Janata Party Nepal Morang chairman Mohammad Kadir said his party would take part in the election with major agenda of turning Biratnagar into a metropolis if the government created conducive environment for them to participate in the polls by amending the constitution.

Major political parties — Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre have also made this their major electoral agenda. Parties have also raised development agendas for the upcoming polls. The CPN-UML has pledged to raise social security allowance for the elderly, while the CPN-Maoist Centre has vowed to set up a mechanism so that social security allowance to the elderly at their doorsteps. “Senior citizens are facing difficulties as they have to queue at the bank to collect their allowance,” said Namita Neupane, CPN-Maoist’s deputy mayoral candidate for Biratnagar Sub metropolis, adding that if her party won it would distribute additional incentive to senior citizens through internal resources.

CPN-UML Biratnagar Coordinator Sagar Thapa said hike in social security allowance and boating on Singhiya khola were the party’s agendas. The party has pledged to improve sewage system in Biartangar.

NC has pledged to develop Singhiya khola and Keshliya khola as green belts, construct overhead bridges and end traffic congestion at major intersections. NC Biratnagar president Bhim Parajuli said construction of overhead bridges at major intersections was his party’s main goal. Meanwhile, Rastriya Prajatantra party Morang chairman Madhav Acharya said his party would make Biratnagar a smart city.