Kathmandu, March 30

The 27th Municipal Council of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has approved separate pre-feasibility reports on beautification of Ranipokhari, and reconstruction and beautification of Balaju Park.

The pre-feasibility reports contain a detailed analysis of social, financial, environmental and technical aspects of the multi-million rupee projects.

A KMC official said the metropolis has already developed a design for beautification of Ranipokhari, which after facelift will have a lush green cover, a musical fountain, walking trails, pavements, benches and resting platforms.

The estimated budget for the Ranipokhari repair and reconstruction project is approximately Rs 100 million. Gardens and open spaces will also be available for physical exercise, meditation and sports activities like table tennis and basket ball. Civil works will start once the metropolis gets approval from the Department of Archaeology, he informed.

Likewise, the musical fountain installed in Ranipokhari during the 18th SAARC Summit with an investment of Rs 35 million will be regularly maintained and operated every evening.

The Balaju Park, on the other hand, remains closed since the earthquakes last year. The tremor had damaged the swimming pool and other infrastructures on the premises of the park.The park will be open to the public after it is furbished.

Ratna Park, which remained closed for around a year for renovation, was reopened to the public on June 30, 2015.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City had given a facelift to the park at the cost of eight million rupees under the ‘Green Kathmandu and Open Space Development Campaign’.

The park has been upgraded with child-friendly playground, recreational facilities, gardens and toilets. The park spreads over 42 ropanis of land. KMC expects to collect approximately Rs 4.5 million from the park annually.