Early preparedness saves Biratnagar Metropolis from inundation this monsoon

Although it's been raining cats and dogs in Biratnagar for some days, unlike in the past, there has not been any cases of inundation in the locality this monsoon, thanks to the timely actions taken by the local government against the monsoon-induced disasters.

The Biratnagar Metropolitan City (BMC) in Morang district repaired and maintained the sewerage and canals prior to the arrival of monsoon. As a result, the otherwise submerged places are spared from inundation this rainy season.

The dwellers of BMC are elated with this welcome change. Arjun Subedi, a local resident of Janapath, said that they did not suffer inundation related problems due to the BMC's timely action.

Krishna Prasad Bhandari Marseli, a local resident as well as national president of the Consumer Awareness Campaign Nepal, viewed that the massive clean-up drive of the sewerages and canals by the BMC within its area relieved the locals from inundation related problems this year.

He admitted that Biratnagar looked cleaner and more beautiful compared to the past. He explained, "In the past, the shopkeepers used to encroach upon the pavements with their products put on display. It caused a sheer inconvenience to the pedestrians. Lately, we can walk freely."

Marseli assessed that parking in public places has been managed well. The mayor and deputy mayor as well as the newly elected people's representatives are filled with the spirit to deliver well.

The BMC had initiated the clean-up drive since mid-February. Most of the roads here used to be water-logged in the monsoon since the sewerage and canals used to be blocked by dirt, dust and pollutants, while the local river and rivulets used to be swollen.

Public Forum's President Uttam Dhungel observed that it occurred to them that the BMC was excellently fulfilling its responsibilities. According to him, the BMC was delivering well on sanitation, electrification, management of parking, ban on tobacco products among others apart from executing early preparedness for disaster risk reduction. The local public are all praises for these undertakings, he added.

He viewed that the BMC should expand its scope of works. "The way Metropolis is delivering and the public are acknowledging it; it's certainly a good start. But the BMC should not be limited to these works only."

Civil Society's leader Ram Babu Dahal shared that the capable team led by the able leadership in the BMC has been delivering reliable public services and they were feeling the wind of change. "The electrification campaign is another welcome deed. Sanitation is paid due attention. The BMC is delivering diligently and in detail. The mayor seems to have the attitude of immediately addressing the public's problems."

Ganesh Prasad Pokharel, a local resident of ward no 5, said there have been reforms in the services delivered by the BMC's subordinate offices since Nagesh Koirala assumed the role of BMC's mayor.

According to Pokharel, prompt service delivery from any subordinated offices is one of the reforms witnessed by the locals since the appointment of new leadership last November. "Nagesh Koirala has kept up with the public's trust and expectations. I am confident he will manage to keep up with the public's confidence on him."

He narrated that the locals used to face a lot of trouble while availing service from the Department of House Mapping in the BMC subordinate bodies. It is no longer the case lately, he gushed.

Shankar Shah, a garment trader in Gudri Market of Biratnagar, expressed his happiness over the effective execution of a ban on tobacco products. Although he recently left consuming 'gutkha' after consuming it for a long time, his son was addicted to it. With the ban coming into effect strictly within the BMC, his son gave up on the consumption which, he divulged, made him the happiest person.

The consumers' behaviour has undergone a positive change lately with the implementation of a ban on sales, distribution and consumption in tobacco products and cigarettes in public places, said Som Magar, a local tea seller.

According to him, the consumers used to wantonly indulge in tobacco products or cigarettes prior to having tea in the morning at his shop. He noticed improvement in consumers' behaviour after the enforcement of the ban.