LAMJUNG: The Lamjung District Prison located in Seraphat, Besisahar Municipality, has been closed after reconstruction work stalled due to a lack of budget, forcing the transfer of 109 inmates to other correctional facilities.

Acting Prison Chief Prisa Gautam said a reconstruction proposal estimated at Rs 177.4 million has been submitted by the Building Development and Construction Office, Kaski, to the concerned authority.

Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Khanal said the prison building, constructed in the fiscal year 1971/72, is too dilapidated to be repaired and cannot be operated safely. He added that relocating inmates outside the district has increased the time, manpower, and costs required for court appearances, family visits, and other administrative work.