BICC Awaits Restoration

2026-09-04-12-10-17-FRI-04Sep-01.pdf

A voice of locals for the restoration of BICC

From Ruins to Restoration of a Public Sphere: BICC

From Ruins to Restoration of a Public Sphere

Birendra International Convention Center, then a temporary assembly venue for the house of representatives has now turned into a junkyard. Previously, the place used to be a camp of the then Royal Nepali Army and later transformed into a spectacular multipurpose venue with the support of People’s Republic of China upon the request of the King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. Developed with a grant of about one billion by Chinese engineers and architects, it was inaugurated in 1993. With the changing scenario of political landscape, Nepal was declared a Federal state then BICC was retitled to Baneshwor Convention Center. With multiple identities, a pride of nation is now seeking for a rescuer after the Genz protest in September 2025. In a year of time, we see, once a spectacular landmark has been put into hold for regaining its  glory. This has been a concern for perhaps everyone in the country but especially for the local residents living nearby the vicinity of Baneshwor. The local activists in Baneshwor urge for their contribution in the process of restoring the convention center echoing the notions of heritage activism, community ownership and green urban growth.

 

At the heart of this scenario, the need for heritage activism shapes foundation for sustainable change.Uprety and Shrestha highlight (2020) “According to Fouseki and Shehade, the term largely refers to grassroots efforts made for saving and protecting heritage that is under threat of loss.”  As it is stated, creation takes time but destruction takes a snap of time. If it is not started on time maybe it gets late and takes forever. Being assertive on the speed of work schedule of the current government, we are positive for its reestablishment. However, the moment of waiting lingers giving a feeling of a sinister getting ready with vile intentions inside the premise of BICC. This has become a serious concern of locals. Hence, the locals offer for heritage activism which means slow and steady attempts of locals that preserve heritage at the risk of perishing.

 

During the residents' consultation taking place every Saturday, locals emphasize on  the heritage activism, “We are open to activities such as voluntary sanitation campaigns, and activation programs for the security” said Sunil Upadhyay, a local resident of Baneshwor.  “People who come across the building, witness a rusty heap of vehicles from the cracked wall and somewhere the heap is too high; it is easily visible; that constantly urges for rescue treatment as soon as possible. It is worrisome to witness a commercial hub hovered by bushes around” said Deepak Thapa, the president of Thapagaun Sudhar Samiti and International Badminton Empire.

 

No one can deny that  the vicinity of the BICC is regarded as the favorite route for morning walkers. It was a pleasing place for people to stroll around for fresh air. But the junkyard no longer pleases them; instead it worries them and pushes them to think of the possibility of this place coming to the same status as before. Rather than a hopeful mood, these people go back to their place with a stark question, “what is going  for the reestablishment of the place? What are the tasks and where is a task planned ? Has it been the priority of any representative in the parliament who is representing people from New Baneshwor.” said Goma Baral, a local activist.

 

In addition, the residents envision community ownership of the place. The aspiration lies on the accessibility of the place as a public sphere for morning walk trails and avenue for weekly local markets for the residents. Locals set up a meeting sharing their concerns for its immediate resolution and then initiated a meeting with Dharmaraj Khadka, Executive Director of the Special Structure Operation and Management Development Committee. That was received positively by both the parties.  “However, the vision is not practical at the moment since the place requires other immediate actions such as eviction of unauthorized occupants, security of the public property and removal of crapped vehicles,” said Khadka. Referring to unreported cases of theft and continued loss of tools and other resources during and after the protest have become crucial problems that seek for the solution. Still there is an absence of official security. Hence, he added that as of now the major concern is the security of the place. Moreover, he also stated that the local residents' sanitation effort would be welcomed whenever they would feel best.

The sanitation program every Friday at the presence of staffs in BICC and local residents has been started. “With limited resources of cleaning tools, the process of sanitation gets difficult and restoration of previous glory seems a long way”, said Subhadhra KC.

During the consultation, local women shared their expectation for the transformation of the venue  into playground providing accessible space for local children since they are deprived of adequate facilities for physical activities and play.

 

Furthermore, following three pillars of sustainable growth, the convention center should be restored to deliver socio-economic and environmental benefits for community and country as soon as possible. Advocating for a green resolution an educator Niraj Tamrakar emphasized on the allotment of a right resource person from Baneshwor who would share his or her expertise during the process of reestablishment of convention center and would remain as a communicator between authority of convention center and local residents. The convention center perhaps holds political significance for all the citizens of Nepal nevertheless it is a monument of memories of marriage ceremonies, activation such as concerts, award ceremonies, and beauty pageants for local residents  reflecting the perks of living at the vicinity of Baneshwor.  

 

In conclusion, locals no longer want to witness the debris early in the morning and get back home with a heavy heart. The solution looks far but the far fledged unplanned status bothers passersby. The answer for its resolution looks vague to those who also suggest a solution. There are multiple visions to navigate the process of restoring the venue. But now, the convention center stands as a clueless damsel in distress carrying immense potential to transform into vibrant hub of socio-economic activities. Another alarming concern is the timeline for  restoration of the venue. Adhering to the SMART framework, can we really be smart and start the process of re-establishment keeping notions of heritage activism, community ownership with green growth?