Nepal government reverses Oli-era decision, returns police academy to Maharajgunj

The decision made by the former KP Sharma Oli-led government to relocate the National Police Training Academy from Maharajgunj has been reversed. The Cabinet meeting held on Thursday decided to annul the decision made on 2075 Bhadra 1 and to bring the police academy back to Maharajgunj from Panauti, Kavre.

According to government spokesperson Sashmit Pokharel, the Cabinet has decided to transfer 114 ropani and 3 aana of land adjoining the Presidential Residence, Sheetal Niwas, to the name of the police academy. The Oli government had decided to move the academy to Panauti, citing space constraints at the Presidential Residence.

The decision at that time was taken at the behest of then-President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The reasons given for the relocation included a lack of parking space at Sheetal Niwas, limited space during visits by foreign dignitaries and various ceremonies, and the need for space for helipad construction and security personnel barracks.

The former government had planned to build a state-of-the-art police academy in Panauti with assistance from India, which had agreed to provide a grant of 8.8 billion. The decision by the Oli government faced strong opposition from former police chiefs and civil society. Fifteen former Inspectors General of Nepal Police had collectively met with then-Prime Minister Oli, urging him to retract the decision.

They argued that the academy was a historical legacy and identity of the police and should not be displaced.