Ticket counter set alight over tourist entry fee hike

KATHMANDU, April 30: Agitating locals and entrepreneurs of Basantapur Durbar Square on Tuesday evening burnt down the main counter of the tourist entry post at Basantapur, claiming that the decision to increase the entry fee would minimize the number of tourists visiting the area.



Kathmandu Metropolitan City, with the collaboration of the Side Walker Traders Pvt Ltd, had recently decided to increase the entry fee for tourists from Rs 750 to Rs 1000, with effect from May 1 and inclusive of the privilege of climbing Dharahara tower. Entrepreneurs and locals had been agitating in recent days arguing that the decision would reduce the number of tourists in the Basantapur Area.[break]



While a team of agitators were in discussions to resolve the issue another group set the entry post on fire in protest, Mim Bahadur Lama, said inspector at Janasewa Police Station. We have arrested about 10 suspects on the charge of setting fire to the entry post and investigations are underway, he added. Talks between the government, stakeholders and agitators are scheduled for Wednesday, according to police.

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