KATHMANDU, Oct 26: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) will no longer be responsible for the operation and management of Dharahara. The federal government has decided to hand over the operation and management to a private company through a tender process, thereby removing this responsibility from the purview of the metropolis.
The Ministry of Urban Development has drafted guidelines for the operation and management of Dharahara, which will be awarded to a private company through a tender process. Secretary at the ministry, Maniram Gelal, said that the draft has been submitted to the Council of Ministers.
According to Gelal, the draft stipulates that the responsibility for choosing the right company to operate and manage the newly-constructed tower has been delegated to the International Convention Centre, located in New Baneshwor, under the ministry. The Convention Centre will issue a tender to award the operation and management of Dharahara to a private company for a period of 20 to 25 years.
The Dharahara Debate
Before the operation of Dharahara began, KMC Mayor Balen Shah had shown interest in taking charge of its operation and management. The KMC has repeatedly urged the government to hand over the responsibility for managing Dharahara to the metropolis. Prior to the operation, the KMC had already announced free parking in the basement of Dharahara.
There had been escalating disputes between the KMC and the ministry on this issue. The KMC argues that since Dharahara is located in its area of jurisdiction, the responsibility for its operation and management should be given to the local unit. Dharahara was opened to the public for free access starting from September 19, coinciding with Constitution Day.
Currently, the operation and management of Dharahara is being handled by the Central Project Implementation Unit under the urban ministry. According to the chief of the unit Prakash Aryal, between 2,000 to 2,200 people visit Dharahara daily. After it was destroyed in the earthquake of 2015, former Prime Minister KP Oli laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new Dharahara on December 27, 2018.
The contract to construct Dharahara was awarded to the GIETC and Raman Construction Joint Venture. PM Oli inaugurated Dharahara three years ago during his previous term. He hastily inaugurated the tower on April 24, 2021, even before the construction work was completed.
