KATHMANDU: Lawmakers raised concerns over the construction of the Pathibhara cable car, stating that the project goes against local sentiments and has created unrest in the area in today’s National Assembly meeting.
They emphasized that infrastructure development should not come at the cost of religious, natural, and cultural significance.
Jayanti Devi Rai, a lawmaker from the CPN (Unified Socialist), said the government must resolve the ongoing dispute as the project has turned the sacred religious site into a center of protests.
She urged authorities to respect local wishes and prioritize essential infrastructure such as roads, drinking water, education, sanitation, resting areas, and market access for local products instead of concrete structures.
CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Renu Chand highlighted that the Pathibhara region, a significant religious and cultural site for indigenous communities, has been facing turmoil due to the project.
She criticized the government’s suppression of protesters and demanded free medical treatment and compensation for the injured.
Chand also argued that the cable car project is not suitable from spiritual, economic, environmental, or developmental perspectives, warning that it could violate local rights and erode social and traditional values.
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