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Photo: Hari Prasad Koirala Crematorium and the mourner building under construction by Urlabari Municipality on the banks of the Bakrahakhola.

Bakrahaghat, being constructed on the banks of the Bakrahakhola in Urlabari-4, Morang, has remained incomplete even three years after the construction work began.

Due to rapid urbanisation and increasing population density, Urlabari Municipality had initiated the construction of the cremation site three years ago, aiming to complete it within five months.

After 35 locals of Urlabari-4 donated four bighas of land for the project, a detailed project report (DPR) was prepared for the construction of the ghat at the same location.

In 2017 (2074 BS), the municipality had allocated Rs. 10 million for the project. However, the budget was frozen as the land had not been acquired at that time.

The municipality later included the project in the budget of the last fiscal year. It had been proposed by then mayor Khadga Bahadur Fhago as a pride project of the city. The project, for which a DPR had been prepared during the previous term, is currently under construction.

Due to the lack of a well-managed cremation site in Urlabari, bodies are being cremated on both the eastern and western banks of the Bakraha River. Cremation in unorganised areas adjacent to the East-West Highway has become a major concern.

On average, two to three bodies are cremated daily on the riverbanks. Landowner Lok Bahadur Katwal said the land was provided to facilitate the construction of a well-managed ghat, as indiscriminate cremation in the absence of proper facilities affects the health of nearby residents and pollutes the river and surrounding environment.

The municipality allocated Rs. 7 million for the project in the fiscal year 2022/23, and the contract was awarded for Rs. 6.3 million. A contract agreement was signed with Dronika Construction on July 13, 2023 (Asad 28, 2080), with a completion deadline of December 16, 2023. However, even after 28 months, the project remains incomplete.

Ward Chairperson of Ward No. 4, Kalyan Kumar Rai, said, “As construction of another ghat has also begun on the western side of the Bakraha River, preparations are underway to bring both ghats into operation simultaneously.”

According to him, one ghat is currently under construction on the western side. Along with the ghat on the eastern side, a guest house, bathroom, caretaker’s room, and toilets have already been built.

Ward Chairperson Rai said that all work has been completed except for laying special bricks for the cremation platform. He added that both ghats are expected to come into operation in April.

By Hari Prasad Koirala