Biratnagar land scandal leaves ordinary buyers facing an uncertain future

Kathmandu, November 7 The road through an old mango and litchi orchard in Biratnagar Metropolitan City-2, Somabare Haat, was once considered unsafe to walk along after dusk. Located in Biratnagar’s main market area, the four-bigha-and-five-kattha orchard had long attracted attention. But after the land was granted an exemption from the government’s landholding ceiling, its trees were suddenly felled, the area was hastily plotted and the plots sold.

Around 12 katthas ( around 1 acre) of the land now house Morang Cooperative Hospital. More than two dozen private houses have also been built there. Many people have invested their lifelong savings, including money earned through foreign employment, to buy plots and build homes.

Business groups have also purchased land in the area. But with the property now at the centre of one of the country’s biggest alleged policy-corruption scandals, those who bought the land are facing uncertainty.