Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium project stalled for 12 years

The Girija Prasad Koirala Cricket Stadium project in Biratnagar Metropolitan City has remained abandoned for 12 years due to political delays and lack of prioritization. Despite being designated a project of national pride, the site in Baijnathpur has effectively become grazing land.

Former sports minister Dig Bahadur Limbu attributed the stagnation to political prejudice, noting that while other stadium projects in Mulpani and Bharatpur progressed, the Biratnagar site was sidelined. Although a detailed project report estimated construction costs at Rs 2.96 billion, annual budget allocations have remained insufficient, often ranging between only Rs 20 million and Rs 30 million.

Administrative uncertainty persists as the project transitioned from provincial to federal control. Current fiscal budgets show overlapping provisions, with the federal government allocating Rs 16.8 million for a report review and the provincial government setting aside Rs 50 million, leaving the project's future in deadlock.