KATHMANDU, June 5: Following the controversy over a digital billboard on the bar of the Bauddhanath Stupa, the newly-elected chairman of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)- ward 6, Dipendra Lama has assured that he will remove the board within the next three days.

Meeting a group of heritage conservation activists on Sunday at his ward office, Lama assured them that he will start negotiation to remove the billboard.

“The billboard disturbs the view of the stupa,” he said, “I will talk to the authority concerned soon and ask them to remove the board.”

The billboard was placed on May 10 by Shree Bauddha Ghyang Guthi. The Department of Archaeology (DoA) had permitted Guthi to display the board for 10th May only on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti.

Activists said that Guthi has been using the board commercially. “They put the board on the day of Budsha Jayanti but they didn't remove it after that . It shows they are planning to use the display commercially” said Ganapati Lal Shrestha, while submitting z memorandum to chairman Lama.

Shrestha said that the billboard has blocked the view of the stupa from the northern side. “We should avoid such kinds of disturbance at the historical monuments.”

The activists also submitted a memorandum to DoA director general Bhesh Narayan Dahal on Sunday requesting to press the Guthi to remove the billboard.

However, Dahal said that his office has invited all sides concerned to discuss the issue on Monday. Chairman Lama also said that he will clearly discuss with DoA officials to remove the board. 

The DoA also sent a letter to Guthi to remove the board on May 21 but the latter has not implemented the order from DoA till Sunday.

 
• digital billboard
 
• bauddhanath stupa
 
• removed