Built at cost of millions, view tower remains unused in Dolakha

By Baburam Sharma,Dolakha, Dec. 8: It took seven years and cost Rs. 15 million to build the view tower at Taganagi, Bhimeshwor Municipality-6, only for it to go unused after completion. 

Suresh Raut, engineer at the municipality, said the tower was built to help the local level earn money and provide denizens a means of recreation. But it has not been able to provide either.

Raut informed that the municipality and the Department of Tourism had been allocating budget for the tower. 

A foot trail extending from the Simpani Pond to the view tower was constructed with a budget of Rs. 3.5 million from the Department. Similarly, a track was opened to allow tourists to easily come from the Deurali Danda. The track is regularly maintained as well. 

Work on the tower began in 2011. After completion, it was contracted out to one Ganesh Bahadur Karki. Under the terms of the contract, Karki was to pay an annual amount of Rs. 50,000 to the municipality. He was also required to pay the electricity and water bills and maintain sanitation.

The agreement forbade Karki from adding or removing any structure without the local government's permission and from selling any product banned by the Government of Nepal. 

The ticket price was fixed at Rs. 15 for children aged below 18 years and senior citizens aged above 70 and  Rs. 25 for others.

Karki operated the tower for a few days but later expressed his inability to continue citing losses. So, the municipality waived all rent and only gave him the responsibility to operate and maintain the building. Still, the tower could not open because Karki went abroad, Raut said.

The view tower is 50 feet tall and has five storeys.