Lumbini Master Plan nears completion

By Laxman Paudel

Bhairahawa, Apr 21 :  Work on implementing the Lumbini Master Plan, designed for the systematic development of the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is nearing completion.

According to the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), only six projects under the master plan formulated by Japanese architect Professor Kenzo Tange remain to be enacted. These are projects related to the construction of six domed structures, beautification, waste and sewage management, park and reservoir construction, and road expansion.

Since the required budget has been managed, the Trust claimed that these works would be completed within the next two years.

Awadhesh Tripathi, the vice-chairman of LDT, told Rising Nepal that the federal government had guaranteed financial resources for the remaining work which had helped it pick up the pace. “Work has gained momentum from the last fiscal year,” he said. “We are utilizing nearly Rs. 4 billion this fiscal year too.”

“We plan to complete the master plan within two years and have called tenders accordingly,” said Sanuraja Shakya, member secretary of LDT. “For the buildings, there are options of constructing them with national or foreign aid. But if those options do not pan out, the Government of Nepal has made a commitment to help us construct them,” he added.

Meanwhile, work on constructing 16 kilometers of the security fence, central canal, sacred zone, international monastery zone, link pond, toilets, footpaths, drainage, administrative building, information center, museum, library, two water tanks with a capacity of 1.4 million liters each and other important structures has completed.

In addition to the master plan, LDT is also exploring the concept of developing a ‘Greater Lumbini’ by incorporating Lumbini and the surrounding Buddhist areas. The Trust is working to preserve and promote Tilaurakot of Kapilvastu, Devdaha of Lumbini, and Ramgram of Paris (Nawalparasi West) in an integrated manner. 

It also plans to study and develop the areas’ society, culture, agriculture, and economy.

By implementing the master plan, LDT seeks to attract tourists to the region and lure them to stay longer, and protect the archaeological sites there.

Similarly, the construction of an international Buddhist conference and meditation center has reached the final stage. The Gautam Buddha International Airport has also completed and is ready to host test flights.