A border dispute among Chandrapur, Bagmati, and Brindaban municipalities has disrupted the extraction and export of sand, gravel, and stones from the Bagmati River for the past three years, resulting in significant revenue loss for the municipalities.

In 2021, Chandrapur Municipality awarded a contract worth Rs18.1 million for the extraction of riverbed materials from the southern point of the Bagmati River. However, Bagmati Municipality obstructed it, claiming jurisdiction over the area. Subsequently, Brindaban Municipality also intervened, asserting the area as its constituency.

Since then, the unresolved boundary dispute has prevented Chandrapur from awarding similar contracts. Local officials report that internal revenue generation has been severely impacted. Chandrapur’s executive committee has formed a special task force led by Mayor Sanjay Kafle and Deputy Mayor Jayamala Chaudhary, to negotiate with the other municipalities and resolve the issue.

“The dispute has hindered extraction of sand and stones for three years. We are working to facilitate discussions among the municipal leaders to find a resolution soon,” said Chief Administrative Officer Kiran Nidhi Tiwari of Chandrapur Municipality.

The conflict stems from overlapping claims on the western riverbank by Chandrapur, Brindaban, and Bagmati municipalities. Although all three had previously issued extraction contracts for the area, none were able to proceed due to mutual obstructions. The dispute has persisted for seven years, with several attempts at mediation failing to yield results.

Former Bagmati mayor Bharat Thapa, showing GPS data, remains firm in his claim that the area belongs to Bagmati Municipality. Thapa even redirected the river flow to the west using excavators, sparking protests from Chandrapur and Brindaban. The District Administration Office’s attempts to mediate have also been unsuccessful.

Mayor Kafle emphasised the need for a non-political resolution to the issue. “We must avoid politicising this sensitive matter. A solution must be reached through dialogue,” he said.

The Chandrapur-Gujara border dispute has further compounded issues. Confusion over jurisdiction in areas like Bholantar, Ipilighari, and Arunbasti has created additional administrative challenges. While Chandrapur claims these areas fall under its territory, Gujara Municipality has erected boundary signs asserting its authority, citing federal maps as evidence.

“The Geographic Information System from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration supports our claim,” said Gujara Mayor Santlal Prasad Chaudhary. Chandrapur Mayor Kafle, however, dismissed these assertions as baseless, citing decades of historical jurisdiction over the disputed areas.

With the disputes dragging on, all parties agree that a collaborative approach, possibly utilising advanced GPS mapping, is essential for resolving the boundary conflicts and resuming revenue-generating activities.