KATHMANDU: A heated exchange erupted between Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah and Ward No. 11 Chairperson Hiralal Tandukar over the construction of the metropolitan city’s office building during the 43rd executive meeting on Friday.
Ward Chair Tandukar urged that the construction be expedited, citing difficulties in holding executive meetings due to the absence of a permanent KMC building.
“Before anything else, we need our own building. It’s time to show results through work, not promises,” he said.
Mayor Shah, however, responded that construction would begin after the Tihar festival.
“Why does it need to start immediately? I have already said construction will start after Tihar,” he told Tandukar.
The disagreement escalated as Tandukar pressed for immediate action, prompting a sarcastic reply from the mayor.
“You want it done quickly? Should we finish the 10-day Tihar festival today itself?”
Tandukar also pointed out that Mayor Shah had taken responsibility for the building project two years ago, but no progress has been visible. This remark reportedly irritated the mayor, who retorted, “Alright, I’ll make sure Tihar ends today, just as you want.”
The debate highlights ongoing delays and disagreements over the construction of KMC’s office building, a subject of growing concern among municipal officials.
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