Renu Dahal, who was elected as a proportional representative in the Constituent Assembly in 2007, ran for the Kathmandu-1 constituency in the 2013 elections under the Unified Maoist Center but faced defeat. When Nepal held its first nationwide local elections in 2017, she had no plans to run for the position of mayor.
However, political circumstances and party decisions led her to contest for the role of Bharatpur Metropolitan City’s mayor, eventually securing victory.
Overcoming Challenges in the 2017 Election
Initially reluctant, Renu considered running for Kathmandu Metropolitan City but ultimately accepted her party’s decision to contest in Bharatpur. The election was fiercely contested, with the opposition CPN-UML posing a significant challenge.
Nepali Congress’s internal divisions further complicated the race, but a political shift saw Congress withdrawing its candidate to support Renu. The campaign faced turmoil, including a controversial vote-counting incident in Bharatpur-19 that led to a re-election. Despite the odds, she emerged victorious.
Bharatpur’s development over 7 years
Before 2017, Bharatpur lacked essential infrastructure despite its metropolitan status. Under Renu’s leadership, significant progress has been made in urban development, road networks, drinking water supply, and governance.
- Road Infrastructure: Previously, the 32-kilometer road from Chaubiskothi to Meghauli was almost impassable. Today, improved road conditions have reduced travel time from 90 minutes to 30 minutes. The city’s focus on drainage has also mitigated flooding issues.
- Drinking Water Projects: With Rs 4 billion in investment, Bharatpur now provides free water for households consuming up to 7,000 liters per month.
- Irrigation and Agriculture: The Narayani Lift Irrigation system now operates year-round, benefiting over 7,500 bighas of land.
Major infrastructure projects
- Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium: Initially spearheaded by the Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation, the project stalled due to financial constraints. Bharatpur Municipality later acquired it and resumed construction.
- Flood Control and Airport Expansion: A 23-kilometer embankment is under construction to address Narayani River erosion, backed by Rs 2.54 billion in federal funding. Bharatpur Airport is also undergoing expansion, including a new Rs 1.92 billion terminal building and potential runway extension.
- Ring Road and Smart City Initiatives: Bharatpur is building Nepal’s longest ring road (88.6 km), with 80% completed. The city has also installed 6,000 smart streetlights, with plans for 3,935 more.
- City Hall and Heritage Preservation: A 3,000-capacity city hall is nearing completion, and historic sites like the Diyalo Bungalow have been opened to the public.
Social welfare and governance
- Education and Healthcare: 100 new school buildings have been constructed, and healthcare programs such as the “Mayor’s Health Program” have benefited over 16,000 residents.
- Women and Child Welfare: 891 newborn girls have received government-funded life insurance.
- Economic Growth: Bharatpur’s annual revenue has surged from Rs 140 million to Rs 1.4 billion under Renu’s leadership.
Challenges and future plans
Despite notable progress, waste management remains a pressing issue. The city is working on sustainable solutions to replace temporary dumping sites. Renu remains committed to addressing this and other remaining challenges before her term concludes.
While critics attribute Bharatpur’s development to her father, Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s political influence, Renu asserts that local initiatives and municipal planning have driven the transformation. With two years remaining in her tenure, she aims to further strengthen Bharatpur’s infrastructure and governance for sustainable growth.
