KATHMANDU, May 23: With the aim of promoting the major heritage areas in the Kathmandu Valley, a heritage tour bus service has been started in Kathmandu from Tuesday.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in collaboration with Lalitpur metropolis and Saja Yatayat, has started the "Sampda Tour Bus Service" from Tuesday. The bus service will provide easy access to the monuments listed in the World Heritage Site – Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath and Swayambhu temples.

Tourism Minister Sudan Kirati and Lalitpur Metropolitan City’s Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan launched the bus service from Lalitpur.

Inaugurating the bus service, Minister Kirati said that it is expected that the operation of this bus service will promote the major heritage areas in the Kathmandu Valley. He said that this is a small effort to promote tourism in the valley and that the service will be expanded after testing it. Tourism Minister Kirati also traveled from Pulchowk to Narayanhiti Palace Museum in the heritage bus.

Similarly, Lalitpur Metropolitan City’s Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan said that Sampada Ghumti Bus Service will be helpful for tourism promotion. He also said that it should be made successful with everyone's coordination and cooperation.

Sushil Pyakurel, Executive Chairman of Sajha Yatayat, said that two electric buses will be operated daily on the Sampada Ghumti bus route and based on its success, more buses will be added.

According to the official of NTB, the bus service is free to the public for now. “The bus service is free for now as the fee is yet to be determined. Working guidelines are currently underway,” he said. 

The heritage tour bus will operate from 8 AM to 6 PM. According to which, the bus will reach Baudha from Pulchowk Tourist Bus Park (near Lalitpur Metropolitan City) via Mahankal Temple, Army Hospital, Jamal, Durbar Marg, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Kamal Pokhari, Pashupatinath Temple Tourist Bus Park, Gaushala, Chabahil Chowk, Taragaon Museum.

The return route will go through Taragaon Museum, Chabahil Chowk, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Gongabu Bus Park, Swayambhu Bhagwan Pau, Chhauni Museum, Paropakar (Kalimati) from Kalimati Chowk to Balkhu Chowk, through ring road to Ekantakuna, Central Zoo, Jawalakhel Chowk to Sajha Yatayat, Pulchowk. 

 
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