प्रदर्शनीस्थल
Bhairahawa, October 15 :
As the frequency of fairs and festivals increases in Bhairahawa, the severe shortage of a well-managed exhibition venue has caused ongoing hardship for organizers, business owners, and the general public.
On October 10 and 11 (Ashoj 24 and 25), a food festival organized along the main roadway of the Butwal-Belahiya commercial route—stretching from Devkota Chowk to the Eye Hospital—disrupted major traffic movement. Turning the active highway into an event venue caused significant inconvenience to commuters and motorists, while compounding the challenges for security personnel deployed for traffic management.
Targeting residents of Siddharthanagar and surrounding areas, the festival was organized by the Rupandehi Chamber of Commerce to promote local cuisine and entertainment. However, hosting it directly on the main thoroughfare made traffic regulation extremely difficult. The potential risk of obstructing emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, has highlighted an urgent need to find alternatives to hosting festivals on active roadways.
Similarly, the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry is preparing to host the Lumbini National Festival from December 3 to 14 (Mangsir 17 to 28). This time, the festival will be held on leased private land. Business leaders note that the Siddhartha Rangashala, which previously hosted such events, is no longer available following the construction of a cricket ground, forcing them to seek alternative spaces.
According to Krishna Prasad Sharma, Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), businesses are facing continuous struggles due to the necessity of renting land, bearing high expenses, and the lack of permanent infrastructure. While festivals are vital for keeping commercial activity vibrant, the absence of proper infrastructure prevents them from running smoothly.
Thakur Kumar श्रेष्ठ (Shrestha), President of FNCCI Lumbini Province, emphasized the urgent need to construct a permanent exhibition center in Bhairahawa. Pointing out that Butwal is already equipped with an exhibition site, he noted that the lack of similar infrastructure in Bhairahawa leaves local entrepreneurs at a distinct disadvantage. He added that if the state provides the private sector with necessary facilities and infrastructure, business expansion will follow, subsequently increasing government revenue.
Netra Prasad Acharya, President of the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also stated that while festivals are indispensable for promoting trade, tourism, and local economic activity, the lack of a structured venue continues to create major hurdles. He reiterated that a permanent exhibition site is essential to eliminate the recurring burden of searching for land and paying steep rents to build temporary structures.
Given Bhairahawa’s strategic importance as a commercial, tourism, and border region, local fairs and festivals can directly benefit local production, agriculture, tourism, and trade. However, relying on blocked roadways or expensive private land plots underscores the necessity of a long-term solution.
Business leaders have strongly urged local, provincial, and federal governments to collaborate with the private sector in constructing a permanent exhibition and festival venue in Bhairahawa. Establishing a structured site is expected to reduce road disruptions, lower operational costs for businesses, ease the management pressure on security forces, and allow the public to enjoy festivals without hassle.
RSS/Unified Nepal
