More than a decade ago, Chandrapur’s modern bus park in Tekan Tol was inaugurated amid much fanfuare to end chaotic roadside parking along the busy East-West Highway and Gaur road. Despite the grand launch and several upgrades, including charging stations, restrooms, and restaurants, the facility has remained largely unused since operations halted within six months due to transport operators’ security concerns for their parked vehicles.

The project meant to ease roadside parking remains disused, and the municipality is now under pressure to bring the costly, well-equipped facility into operation.

Last year, the Integrated Urban Development Project handed over the facility to Chandrapur Municipality. However, four months later, its gates remain padlocked, the interior filled with garbage, and the periphery covered in overgrowth. The building with nine commercial shutters also remains abandoned.

Mayor Sanjaya Kafle promises change, stating that the bus park will come into operation shortly. “We are discussing operational models. Whether through direct management or lease, we will soon make this bus park functional,” said Kafle. Charging machines have already been installed, though covered in dust. Locals report that the boundary walls are cracking and the area is eerily silent.

Provincial lawmaker and CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Yubaraj Bhattarai has stressed the need for using the bus park and assured his support if needed. “Leaving it unused could create problems in the future. It’s better to shift all roadside vehicles here to avoid accidents and congestion,” said Bhattarai.

Before the bus park was built, passenger vehicles parked haphazardly along roads and garages, disrupting traffic flow and increasing accident risks. Locals initially contributed to fencing government land near the Chandi river and started the bus park through public donations. The project was launched amid celebrations, clearing up the main junction temporarily. Yet, within months, buses stopped coming.

According to Pratap Lama, the then chairman of the Bus Park Construction Committee, the key issue remains safety. The vehicle owners complain about poor security arrangement in the newly constructed bus park.

Lalbabu Giri, chairman of the Rautahat Bus Operators Association, insists they cannot park at Tekan Tol due to previous incidents of fuel theft and safety threats to drivers and vehicle staffers. “Until security improves, we will not take our buses there,” Giri said, adding that their 75 buses still lack a proper parking alternative.

Chandrapur Municipality is now determined to enforce the use of the bus park, and is even considering deploying police for the same. Mayor Kafle said discussions with transport operators are underway to address their concerns and remove vehicles from roadside parking permanently.

Initially, rules were set for all Gaur-bound vehicles to operate via Tekan Tol, but entrepreneurs soon defied it. The municipality is also planning a new holding area near Chandi Bridge alongside enforcing bus operations and parking at Tekan Tol.

Currently, buses, trucks, e-rickshaws and jeeps park haphazardly on both sides of Chandranigahapur Chowk and Gaur Road. Despite traffic police placing ‘No Parking’ signs, the problem persists. Lokendra Adhikari, chief of the District Traffic Police Office in Rautahat, believes the bus park’s operation would solve these issues. “Once the bus park becomes functional, the chaotic scenes along the highway will disappear,” said the traffic police officer.

Mayor Kafle concurs. “This facility will help reduce road accidents and manage festive season traffic surges more effectively,” he added.

Funded by the Ministry of Urban Development, the bus park, with charging stations, paved roads, and drainage systems cost over Rs 161 million. Construction was completed by contractor firm Binayak/Projil JV Bhaktapur. Its engineer Manish Kumar Singh confirmed the project was delivered on time.

Yet, the multimillion-rupee infrastructure remains idle, drawing public criticism. The municipality now faces mounting pressure to bring this long-abandoned facility into meaningful use and prevent further resource wastage.