BANKE: Residents of remote settlements in Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality, Banke, are forced to travel nearly 24 kilometers—often on foot—for basic administrative services at the ward office.
People from areas such as Baskhali, Chunbhatti, Khairbhatti, Kuntepani, Maheshpur, Gurdangaudi, Juruwa, and Tallo Baskhali, located near the Indian border, must walk for up to four hours to reach the ward office in Baijapur, Ward No. 4.
“Due to the lack of road access, people have no option but to walk long hours just to receive basic services,” said local leader Tulsiram Tharu, adding that many residents feel disconnected from local governance and are demanding the establishment of a separate ward.
Locals say the situation is particularly severe in areas like Gurdangaudi and Khairbhatti, where access to essential services remains extremely limited. While Khairbhatti lies about 14 kilometers from the ward office, Maheshpur is an additional 10 kilometers farther, making service delivery even more difficult.
Ward Chair Minraj Khadka acknowledged the challenges, noting that the ward office’s location in Baijapur is too distant for many residents. “People in these areas are deprived of even basic services,” he said.
Although informal demands have been raised to establish a separate ward and polling station for the area—home to around 350 households and 400 voters—no formal proposal has yet been submitted.
The lack of road infrastructure has also affected access to healthcare, education, and drinking water. Residents must travel long distances even for minor health issues, while the absence of maternity services has increased risks for pregnant women. Similarly, children often walk for hours to attend school, contributing to a high dropout rate.
Khadka said that if a formal request is submitted, the rural municipality will take the matter forward through its executive body. Banke Chief District Officer Dil Bahadur Tamang also stated that establishing polling stations would not be an issue, and further steps could be taken once a formal decision on ward restructuring is made.
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