Parsa, Feb. 25 -- neglected public space in the heart of Birgunj is being revived and this has raised hopes among local people that the city will finally reclaim a much-promised green refuge.

Spread across around 10 bigha (approximately 6.7 hectares) of land near the iconic Ghantaghar, BP Park had for years been buried under encroachment, temporary shacks and mounds of waste. Though purchased nearly three decades ago by the Birgunj Metropolitan City from the then transport corporation for Rs200 million to build a park, political instability and lack of willpower stalled progress.

Now, the metropolitan office has begun clearing encroachments and accelerating a clean-up drive. Soil filling, land levelling and plantation work are under way...