Chitwan, July 18

A palace of the former royal family, Diyalo Bangala in Aanptar of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, which is protected by Nepal Trust, is inaccessible to the public.

The palace was constructed in the district to allow former royal family members to relax and hunt wild animals during their visit here.

Nepal Trust Area Office Diyalo Bangala Aanptari chief Ramesh Wagle said seven staffers have been maintaining the palace. Nepali Army guards the palace spread over 57 bigaha land out of commoners’ reach. Locals say that if the palace was turned into a museum park, its significance would increase.

Joint Secretary at the trust Lekh Bahadur Karki said his office was helpless since the government did not allocate the budget sought by his office for the purpose.

According to him, Management Committee of the trust had decided to develop Diyalo Bangala into a museum a year ago.

Former king Mahendra Shah had died in Diyalo Bangala, former king Birendra Shah had celebrated his birthday in the palace in 2000, according to gardener Ghanashyam KC. The palace is situated right in the middle of Bangala premises.