Kathmandu, December 20

Efforts are on to give a facelift to the historical Ranipokhari and surrounding areas.

According to the Kathmandu Metropolitan city, it has already developed a design for reconstruction of Ranipokhari, which after facelift will have a lush green cover, a musical fountain, walking trails, pavements, benches and resting platforms.

Gardens and open spaces will also be available for physical exercise, meditation and sports activities like table tennis and basket ball. An official at the KMC said civil works will start once the metropolis gets approval from the Department of Archaeology.

The estimated budget for the Ranipokhari repair and reconstruction project is approximately Rs 100 million.

Renovation of the Shiva temple, located in the centre of the pond, which was damaged in the April 25 earthquake, will also be started soon. For this purpose, the KMC has allocated a budget of Rs 10 million.

Ranipokhari earlier used to be open for public only during Chhath and Bhai Tika festivals.

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.

Opening the site for public will also help KMC generate revenue. However, KMC is yet to decide the entry fee for visitors.

However, Rs 25 per person and Rs 15 for students has been fixed as the entry fee at the recently reopened Ratna Park.

As per the plan, the KMC will merge Shanti Batika and Ratna Park by closing the road between them. The road space will be used for table tennis boards and basket ball courts.

The KMC is preparing to call for tender next week for the Ranipokhari repair and beautification project, said KMC officials.