Dhangadhi Witnesses Decline in House Building, Economic Recession Cited as Main Factor

Dhangadhi: Dhangadhi has experienced a noticeable decrease in the construction of private and commercial structures. The current fiscal year has witnessed a decline in the number of approved house maps, signaling a shift in building activity. In the previous fiscal year of 2078/79 BS, 886 private and commercial buildings were granted map approvals within the sub-metropolitan city. However, in the current fiscal year of 2079/80 BS, this number has notably decreased.

Bhuwan Bahadur Shahi, the head of the house map branch in Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city, highlighted that since July of the ongoing fiscal year, only 665 private and commercial buildings have been granted map approvals. The sub-metropolitan municipality reported a reduction of 221 house map approvals compared to the previous fiscal year.

Authorities attribute the decline in house building activity to the prevailing economic recession. As per the municipal guidelines, constructing earthquake-resistant buildings is the sole criterion for map approvals in Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city. For commercial structures, a minimum of 1,100 square feet per square foot is required, while private buildings necessitate a minimum of 900 square feet per square foot.

While the number of individuals constructing houses for private and commercial purposes has been increasing in Dhangadhi over the years, the economic recession has contributed to the recent decline in such activities. The traditional Nepali-style house construction has particularly witnessed a significant drop in popularity. Even government constructions lack the essence of traditional architecture. Instead, foreign-style houses dominate the landscape, reflecting the changing lifestyles of residents.

In the past decade, the construction of traditional-style houses has drastically diminished, and both private and government buildings have fallen into disrepair. There has been a growing preference for foreign-style house construction, attributed to its cost-effectiveness. However, if the government promotes the construction of traditional Nepali-style houses in urban areas, tourist destinations, and ancient settlements, it could help enhance our appeal among foreign visitors.