View tower remains unused since inauguration three years ago

By Kapil Gyawali,Siddharthanagar, Jan. 12: The View tower in Banbatika of Tilottama Municipality in the Rupandehi district, constructed in 2021, remains unused almost three years after its inauguration.

The tower was inaugurated by the Prime Minister and Chair of CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli, on March 29, 2022. However, the gate to the tower is now locked and the public has yet to access it due to delays in operational procedures.

The 10-story multi-purpose tower built with an investment of Rs. 115 million has not generated any income due to delays in its operation.

Khim Lal Pandey, Vice President of Shankar Nagar Banbatika and Research Centre, said that both the municipality and the research centre have yet to benefit from the tower.

“The project is significant, but the work has been left incomplete. Even though the tower is built, it is not in a condition to allow visitors inside,” Pandey said. He added that once the tower is operational, it would naturally increase revenue for the Banbatika. The multi-purpose tower is expected to provide jobs to over 60 people.

According to Pandey, the structure is not yet open to the public as some lower-level constructions are still pending. Mayor of Tilottama Municipality Ram Krishna Khan said that 70 per cent of the investment came from the municipality and 30 per cent from the Banbatika.

The federal government allocated additional funds for the second phase of construction. It has already been agreed that the municipality will receive 60 of the revenue, while Banbatika will receive 40 per cent. 

Khan said that the remaining construction includes parking and a garden, which are being funded by Rs. 10 million from the municipality and federal government allocations.

Khan said, “We are committed to opening the view tower as soon as possible. However, it has not been opened to the public because some construction work is still pending.”

Shankar Nagar Banbatika welcomes an average of 1,500 domestic and international tourists daily. It is a popular picnic destination with areas for observation, dance and recreation. The adjoining parks and zoo add to its appeal.

The view tower is designed for commercial use from the first to the sixth floors, with observation decks starting from the seventh floor, said Chief Administrative Officer Narayan Aryal. 

Spanning 25,122 square feet, the tower is planned to include a restaurant, tourist rest areas, research quarters, department stores, office spaces, air-conditioned rooms and a library.

A former member of the Lumbini Province Planning Commission, Dr. Damodar Bhusal, complained about lack of planning in the project. “Such projects should proceed only after assessing necessity and establishing an operational plan. The current situation reflects a lack of foresight,” he said.

Similarly, Prof. Nuru Jung KC of Butwal Multiple Campus expressed concern about the tower's relevance. He said, “While students still have to cross rivers using ropeways and basic services have not reached citizens, the view tower is not a necessity.”

Rajan Gyawali, who relocated his hotel near Banbatika expecting increased tourist activity, expressed disappointment. “I chose this location hoping for business growth because of the tower, but it has not worked out as planned. If the tower were operational, it would benefit nearby businesses significantly,” he said.