Dhangadhi, a city in Sudurpaschim Province, is the only sub-metropolitan city in the region. It serves as the primary commercial, industrial, and educational hub for Sudurpaschim, which comprises seven hill districts and two Terai districts. The progress achieved in Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City is a testament to how visible development can be accomplished with appropriate policies, strong willpower, and honest implementation. Under the leadership of Mayor Gopal Hamal, who campaigned for the elections with the commitment of making Dhangadhi a model city for future generations, the city has embarked on a journey to transform its appearance within a short span of nine months. The city administration's determination to bring about change is evident in the ongoing development works, which seek to revamp Dhangadhi's infrastructure and overall landscape.
The Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City has taken significant steps towards transforming the city. They have established a mobile ward clinic that offers specialist services and free treatment to the public. Pregnant women are provided with free ambulance services, and the sub-metropolis has removed encroachments from the river channel to prevent flooding in the city. The sub-metropolis has also demolished structures to widen roads in the main market area of Dhangadhi and installed state-of-the-art lights on the six-lane roads. Furthermore, the local authorities have implemented a ban on the sale of vegetables that exceed the allowed pesticide limit in the local vegetable markets. The sub-metropolis has also undertaken initiatives like banning plastic and tobacco products, housing stray cattle in sheds, and promoting self-employment opportunities for women through the production of biodegradable leaf plates.
Mayor Hamal has emphasized the importance of prioritizing quality work over corruption by allocating budgets based on necessity rather than access. The sub-metropolis has implemented measures to ensure that development work is completed on time and to the highest quality standards. Construction companies are required to submit construction schedules and completion timelines to the sub-metropolitan city. Those that fail to meet their deadlines will be blacklisted. The mayor stresses that the sub-metropolis is committed to using taxpayers' money responsibly and preventing leaks and corruption.
The city of Dhangadhi has recently taken steps towards maintaining a cleaner environment by implementing a waste management system that involves sorting garbage at its source. This initiative involves the use of three types of containers, namely perishable, non-perishable, and reusable. However, a major challenge faced by the city is the presence of stray animals. To address this issue, the sub-sub-metropolis has established cowsheds in Debriya and Rampur to accommodate the four-legged animals. Regular animal health checks are also provided in the cowsheds. According to Mayor Hamal, the city has already taken action to remove tobacco products, gutkha, plastic glasses, cups, plates, and bags from the city area.
He said, “I became the mayor with a determination to build a beautiful and exemplary Dhangadhi for the children of tomorrow. My goal is to work towards achieving this objective in the same way.'"
Nar Bahadur Aiu, a local resident, acknowledges the work being done by the sub-metropolitan city as a positive sign of change. He says, "It was not easy for everyone to undertake the task of widening the road by demolishing hundreds of structures, but this work is important and will change the face of Dhangadhi in the coming days. It will have a positive impact on development."
Mayor Hamal has announced that he will not accept any service facilities or remuneration from the DhangadhiSub-metropolitan City.
Ward health clinic
Many individuals are unable to obtain a medical examination by a specialist doctor due to financial constraints, resulting in them suffering from various diseases. While the constitution recognizes health as a fundamental right, those with limited economic resources still endure untreated illnesses. The high costs of treatment at private hospitals and the complex system in government hospitals have made respiratory treatment inaccessible to the rural population.
The specialist health clinic, operated by the sub-metropolitan city since July 16, has proven to be a boon for the general public who cannot afford medical treatment due to financial constraints. The clinic follows a calendar schedule where a mobile health clinic, with a specialist doctor, is conducted in each ward on a designated day of the month. Patients are treated by a specialist doctor and are provided with lab tests. The clinic is staffed with two specialist doctors: one physician and one gynecologist-obstetrician. The laboratory provides free-of-cost ECG, video x-ray (ultrasonograph) services, and more. The vehicle Mayor Hamal was riding in was utilized to transport the mobile health clinic team. "I have decided to start a ward clinic with specialists to ensure that people receive prompt medical attention and do not have to suffer from illness unnecessarily," stated the Mayor, pledging to have addressed the healthcare needs of the community right after getting elected.
The ward clinic has begun providing specialized treatment for eye and dental health. So far, 26,066 individuals have received medical attention from the clinic, according to reports. Furthermore, pregnant women can avail themselves of a free ambulance service. The residents of Dhangadhi praise the city's initiative to provide expectant mothers with transportation to and from hospitals.
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Dhangadhi Panchayat was established in 2033BS and was later upgraded to a sub-metropolis in 2048 BS. In 2072 BS, it was renamed Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City and now comprises 19 wards.
Demolition of illegal structures and road widening
Traffic congestion between Kailali Bridge in Dhangadhi and Campus Chowk had become a persistent problem. Pedestrians were inconvenienced while crossing the road and the narrow road leading to the hospital often resulted in crowding and difficulty walking. Commuters were similarly affected by the narrow road. In an effort to transform the old Dhangadhi into a modern city and widen the narrow main road of the Dhangadhi market, which serves as the temporary capital of the province, roadside structures have been removed.
The sub-metropolis has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) aimed at widening the road from Kailali Bridge to Campus Chowk by 15 meters on either side, and has begun to implement this plan by removing structures within the 15x15 meter road area on both sides after Tihar. The sub-metropolitan city's decision to carry out this initiative has garnered widespread support from the city's residents. Even those who had structures around the road have willingly started demolishing them. Although some house owners initially protested, the majority of people with structures around the road have joined the campaign, with the support of the entire city, to widen the road.
The ambitious campaign to widen the road by demolishing structures around it in the sub-metropolitan city is progressing towards success. As part of the plan to widen the road from Kailali Bridge to Campus Chowk, a total of 2,300 meters of structure has already been removed. The campaign to widen the road by demolishing 229 physical structures from the center of the road to the right and left has also begun, covering the same distance. In summary, 229 houses have been demolished in the process of widening the road from Kailali Bridge to Campus Chowk.
Following the actions of the sub-metropolis, the house owners of government-owned Seti Provincial Hospital voluntarily demolished their roadside shutters to widen the road by 30 meters.
As the population density in Dhangadhi continues to increase, traffic jams on the old roads will persist, leading to discomfort for passengers. Clean and spacious roads are necessary to improve the appearance of Dhangadhi. Local resident Krishna Raj Joshi stated that "well-constructed roads will enhance the beauty of the market and enable passengers to move around with ease."
Mayor Hamal claimed that the growing enthusiasm for the development of Dhangadhi has made it easy to expand the roads without any obstacles. He added that although some house owners initially filed a lawsuit, they later withdrew it and expressed their support for the "We will build our Dhangadhi" campaign. By removing the existing structures, a beautiful and modern road will be constructed in the heart of the market.
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Ban on sale of pesticide-laden Indian vegetables
The weekly 'Haat Bazaar' near LN Chowk, at the center of Dhangadhi market next to the Bandevi temple, is a popular destination for housewives, employees, students, and other consumers to buy vegetables. Previously, the market was filled with vegetables and fruits imported from India, and farmers who came to sell their crops were not able to secure a place and price. However, due to concerns about the significant amount of pesticides present in these imported vegetables, many consumers preferred not to purchase them. As a result, the Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan city has taken an exemplary step to protect the health of both farmers and consumers by banning the sale of vegetables and fruits imported from India in the 'Haat Bazaar.'
Samjhana Bhatt, a student who visited the 'Haat Bazaar' to purchase vegetables expressed satisfaction with the new ban, stating, "We consumers can now enjoy fresh vegetables without worrying about the pesticides mixed with vegetables from India. If local farmers get the support they need to sell their produce in the market, it will be a win-win situation for both farmers and consumers." However, the exact quantity of pesticides used in Indian vegetables is unknown, and it is a cause for concern among consumers. Despite their cheap price and attractive appearance, many buyers have chosen to avoid purchasing vegetables from India due to this issue. AshaKathayat, who was present at the 'Haat Bazaar’ along Samjhana, emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers by stating, "When we purchase vegetables from India, our money goes there, and we get to eat pesticide-laden vegetables in return. It is much better to support local farmers and purchase fresh produce from them."
LokrajUpadhyaya, the head of Agriculture Branch in the Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City, has announced that the sale of Indian vegetables in local markets has been banned due to concerns about the use of pesticides by Indian middlemen. Upadhyaya explained that the decision was made to address the problem of local farmers being unable to sell their produce, as well as to ensure that consumers are not exposed to harmful pesticides. To enable farmers to sell their produce in the market, the sub-metropolitan city has introduced an identity card system for farmers. Upadhyaya stated that only farmers with valid identity cards are allowed to sell their produce in the market. Currently, approximately 100 farmers have been issued with identity cards.
According to PhulmatiChaudhary, a local farmer, the market was previously dominated by Indian vegetables, making it difficult for farmers like her to sell their produce at a fair price. The ban on Indian vegetables has been welcomed by local farmers, who now have a better opportunity to sell their own produce.
Dhangadhi six-lane road flickers
The six-lane road in Dhangadhi, the capital of Sudurpaschim Province, has taken on a modern look with the installation of smart street lights. Mayor GopalHamalsaid that the first phase of the installation has been completed, with 40 percent of the investment coming from the Nepal Electricity Authority and the remaining 60 percent from the Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City. The smart street lights have been installed at 28-meter intervals along the six-lane road, connecting Dhangadhi toAttariya, with the aim of reducing accidents that occur at night. These street lights are equipped with sensors that automatically turn on when the sun sets and turn off when it gets bright outside.
From the Dhangadhi intersection to the road leading to Mohanpur Airport, 432 smart street lights have been installed on 216 poles as part of the first phase of the project. The twinkling lights provide a safe and modern atmosphere for the area.
Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City is currently in the process of installing high mast lights along the 6-lane roads as part of the second phase of its work. Specifically, 10 high mast lights will be installed from Customs to Geta. Additionally, as part of the third phase, the sub-metropolitan city is installing smart street lights from Customs to Chauraha and from Mohanpur to Geta. In total, the sub-metropolitan city is focusing on installing modern street lights along approximately 9 km of road within the Dhangadhi area, specifically along the Dhangadhi-Attariya 6-lane road. Notably, the sub-metropolitan city has also planted trees in the middle of the 6-lane road and installed wire netting.
Women find self-employment
To replace plastic bowls and plates, paper bowls and plats are being manufactured locally. The Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City has provided one-week training to women from different wards to make leaf plates, and equipped them with necessary machines. The city has also pledged to purchase the products made by these women, in case they are not sold in the market. Women's groups in wards No. 6, 7, 11, 13, 16, and 18 have been trained and given machines to produce leaf plates. Because of the ban on plastic plates, there has been a surge in demand for the leaf plates (Duna/Tapari) made by these women. A chaat vendor, for instance, reportedly uses 500 leaf plates (Duna) per day.
MamataBaniya, the president of HimaliSamuha in Ward No. 13 of HimaliTol, stated that since the Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City provided them with machines for a week-long training, they have been making leaf plates since last month. She mentioned that they work in groups and gather leaves from the forest, which they use to produce leaf plates with the help of the machines. Baniya also added that she has been able to meet her expenses by making leaf plates and selling them in her free time after completing her household chores. She expressed her satisfaction with being able to become self-employed by making biodegradable leaf plates at home and selling it instead of going to other people's places.
Baniyabelieves that if they had more machines and access to electricity, they could produce a significantly larger amount of biodegradable leaf plates. She also mentioned that the Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City has expressed their willingness to buy as much leaf plates as they can produce.
Controlling encroachment of riverbanks
Several individuals registered the land around the river areasof Dhangadhi in coordination with the chairman of the Urban Development Committee and the staff of relevant offices. In some areas where the river flowed two or three decades ago, the river no longer exists. Encroachment upon more than half a dozen rivers in the Dhangadhi market area led to the construction of structures. As a result of this encroachment and construction, even normal rainfall causes flooding in Dhangadhi. The root cause of this issue is the encroachment on the middle of the river channels.
To address this problem, the Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City has launched a campaign to remove encroachments upon riverbanks. Mayor Hamal has stated that the campaign to clear river encroachments and restore natural flow is ongoing in all 19 wards.
The removal of the structure built by encroaching upon the river in the Dhangadhi market area proved to be a challenging task. GajendraShahi, the ward chairman responsible for removing the encroachments in ward number 5, stated that "houses and structures built by encroaching upon the river are being demolished."
During the rainy season, residents in this area have to cross through flooded waters to reach the road, often sending their children to school without clothes. Mayor Hamal argues that if encroachment upon the riverbanks is not addressed, it will become increasingly difficult to live in Dhangadhi due to the threat of flood and inundation. Removing the encroachment of the riverbank is necessary to ensure the well-being of future generations in the area, according to the mayor. The locals also view the campaign to remove river encroachment, which is the primary cause of flooding, as a critical issue.
Pramod Pathak, a leader of the local civic society, explained that after encroaching on the canal and building the structure, the water was unable to flow. Consequently, the water flooded the settlements and the market. He added, "Dhangadhi Sub-metropolis is doing an excellent job of removing encroachments. Except for the encroachers and looters, all the residents of Dhangadhi are happy."
Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City has made remarkable progress towards transforming its appearance and improving the quality of life for its citizens. Under the leadership of Mayor Hamal, the sub-metropolis has demonstrated the power of strong willpower, honest implementation, and appropriate policies to achieve visible development. The city administration's determination to bring about change is evident in the ongoing development works, which seek to revamp Dhangadhi's infrastructure and overall landscape. By prioritizing quality work over corruption and using taxpayers' money responsibly, the Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city has set an example for other cities in the region to follow.
