It has been six years since the Sudurpaschim provincial assembly voted with a two-thirds majority to designate Godawari in Kailali district as the permanent capital. Yet, the provincial government continues to operate from Dhangadhi. The relocation to Godawari remains uncertain, with no tangible progress made towards its development.

Sudurpaschim was the first province in Nepal to decide on a permanent capital. In September 2018, during the first term of the provincial assembly, a decisive two-thirds majority voted to set up the capital in the Teghari area in ward 4 of Godawari Municipality. However, even after six years, this decision has not moved beyond paper.

In light of the inaction, the current provincial government has begun considering the possibility of developing a permanent capital in Dhangadhi instead. A key hurdle to moving forward with the Godawari plan was a legal challenge filed in the same year of 2018, claiming the provincial assembly’s decision would destroy vital forest areas. Manish Kumar Shrestha and Devi Kumari Joshi had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, arguing that building the capital in a designated biological corridor would lead to environmental degradation.

According to Provincial Chief Attorney Thekendra Prasad Joshi, the case is still sub judice at the apex court. The court did not issue a stay order, but merely an interim directive stating that the implementation could proceed. Former Chief Attorney Kulananda Upadhyaya emphasised that the delay is not due to the lawsuit but the province’s inability to secure ownership of the land.

Since naming Godawari the capital, the province has seen four different governments, but none have prioritised executing the decision. In a recent session of the provincial assembly, CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Shiva Singh Oli from Doti reignited the debate by proposing that the capital be shifted to Dipayal, citing better geographical balance and accessibility for hill districts. However, that discussion quickly lost momentum.

Previously, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah had indicated that the decision on Godawari could be reconsidered, especially as unresolved land and forest disputes have stalled development. During a media interaction in Dadeldhura last year, Shah acknowledged that the provincial government has yet to receive ownership rights for the 444 bigha [300.7 hectares] of land designated for the capital, leaving physical construction plans in limbo.

Nepali Congress chief and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba also hinted during a 2022 election rally in Dadeldhura that the capital could be shifted to Dadeldhura, his home district. Critics, however, argue that such remarks are often aimed at short-term popularity rather than genuine intent.

Back in 2018, the Sudurpaschim government formally requested land ownership from the federal Ministry of Forests and the Office of Prime Minister. The proposal included using only the necessary portions of the forest and preserving the rest. Despite detailed submissions with maps and supporting documents from the authorities concerned, the federal government has not acted.

Former Chief Minister Trilochan Bhatta expressed frustration, stating that repeated appeals to the then prime minister went unanswered. "Had the federal government granted us land rights, construction in Godawari would have started years ago," Bhatta said.

Now, with the Godawari plan stuck, the provincial government is actively exploring the possibility of establishing the capital in Dhangadhi. A minister, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Chief Minister Shah and leaders from coalition partner CPN-UML have likely discussed this option with the prime minister. A 13-bigha [8.8 bigha] area currently housing government offices in Dhangadhi is under consideration.

Earlier, a parliamentary committee led by provincial assembly member Tara Lama Tamang had recommended the Godawari site, stating it was suitable despite being a forest area due to the lack of large trees. At the time of the decision, the ruling Nepal Communist Party held a two-thirds majority, and 38 of its lawmakers voted in favour. The opposition Nepali Congress and Rastriya Janata Party lawmakers boycotted the vote.

Some lawmakers are now advocating alternative locations within the Godawari area, such as Chaukidanda forest area, or even the Fishery Development Center located between Dhangadhi and Attariya. But any new decision will require a two-thirds majority in the Assembly—a threshold the current ruling coalition lacks without broader consensus.

Adding to the complexity, both Godawari and nearby areas are represented by prominent Congress leader Bir Bahadur Balayar and UML leader Lekharaj Bhatt.

Former Chief Minister Trilochan Bhatta argues that conflicting positions among leaders are weakening the province’s case in front of the federal government. He believes a formal resolution passed by the provincial assembly could exert pressure on Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, local people in Doti had staged street demonstrations for over a month, demanding that Dipayal be designated the capital. At one point, civil society groups in Doti even boycotted functions attended by Chief Minister Bhatta, suspecting a decision to retain the capital in Dhangadhi.

When Godawari was initially announced as the capital, land prices in the area surged. Local businessmen claim prices doubled—from Rs 3 million to Rs 6 million per kaththa [338.63 square metres]. Real estate activity also spiked, with widespread land plotting. But with the current uncertainty, land values have remained the same over the past two years, according to Attariya businessman Ramesh Bhatta.

In October last year, Chief Minister Shah warned that the province would be forced to consider alternatives if the federal government failed to resolve the issue of provincial headquarters. He said he had submitted both written and verbal requests to then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and other top leaders of major political parties but to no avail.

Similarly, Sudurpaschim Province Assembly's Speaker Bhim Bahadur Bhandari remarked that the time had come to consider new options for the capital. "If we continue to sit idle without resolving this fundamental issue, our very relevance will be questioned," he said.