By Bhot Raj Rai, Udaypur, Jan. 18: The Limchungbung Rural Municipality of Udaypur has started work on constructing a so-called Everest View Tower.

The tower, being constructed at Dobate, Limchungbung Ward No. 3, will supposedly allow people to view Mount Everest. It is being constructed on a hill called the Everest View Top Hill.

According to the rural municipality, workers are currently clearing the ground at the construction site, digging holes for the erection of pillars and collecting sand, ballast and stones. When complete, the local government hopes that the tower will attract domestic and foreign tourists to the area.

Tarzan Limbu, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality, told The Rising Nepal that work would move forward at a rapid pace. “The 38-metre tower, with its 72 pillars, will be completed in three years,” he said, claiming that it would be the tallest view tower of eastern Nepal. “Limchungbung received electricity for the first time this year. This has helped us speed up the construction work,” he added.

Limbu assured that the view tower was not a random idea generated by the local level but a product of years of research and investment. He also stated that the building would be resistant to earthquakes.

The rural municipality also shared that it planned to an ethnic museum in the view tower to showcase local culture and identity to tourists.

Mayor Major Kumar Rai is especially excited about the view tower. “It will put Limchungbung on the map.”

The view tower is expected to provide people with a clear view of six 8,000ers –  mountains taller than 8,000 metres. So, travellers will not be able to keep themselves from coming to Limchungbung and climbing the tower, Rai said.

The construction, however, has been criticised as a vanity project of the local leaders. Many have asked the local government to focus on fulfilling basic needs like food and shelter rather than building such towers. But Deputy Mayor Ramila Rai said that the rural municipality had prioritised all important sectors like education, health and livelihoods and had chosen to focus on tourism as a way to ensure sustainable development and boost the local economy of Limchungbung.