Advanced tea research centre's construction completed in Kanyam

By Prem Adhikari

Pashupatinagar, Sept 6 : The construction of an advanced tea research centre has been completed in Kanyam of Ilam district. It is the first-of-its-kind research centre in the country with a tea-testing facility, authorities informed.

The research centre has been constructed under the joint investment of Suryodaya Municipality and the Koshi Province government.

"The construction started in 2019/20. It cost Rs. 136.5 million to complete the construction in two phases," said Ashish Subedi, an engineer of Suryodaya Municipality.

Under the first phase, Ashish/Asirbad JV constructed the outer infrastructure and Suryodaya/Falgunanda JV completed the interior part.

"The only work remaining is to blacktop the road to the centre. It is in the process," said Subedi.

According to Milan Bhattarai, chief administrative officer of Suryodaya, the centre will come into operation within the current fiscal year.

"The research centre will be of great support to develop the country's tea sector. We will equip it with the necessary equipment and bring it into operation soon," said Rana Bahadur Rai, Mayor of Suryodaya.

The centre will also have a tea museum, tea testing facility, tea selling room, guest house and an auditorium hall.

"Many foreigners with an interest or researching on tea arrive here. The guest house is for them. Kanyam has taken a leap forward to tea sector's development," said Mayor Rai.

Mayor Rai requested individuals with a deep interest in tea to reach Kanyam, the tea capital of Nepal, as the place is now able to share theoretical as well as scientific knowledge.