Lumbini, January 11

Thirty-five years after the Lumbini Development Master Plan came into implementation, work on large projects has yet to start.

The master plan was prepared by a Japanese architect in 1978 with the aim of implementing it in 25 years. The failure of the Lumbini Development Fund to implement the master plan has drawn widespread criticism.

As per the plan, construction of six domes, sewer system, high school, Telar River diversion, auditorium hall and work related to electrification, water supply and telecommunication are yet to take place.

According to the LDF officials, it has so far spent six billion rupees for developing infrastructures as envisioned in the master plan and the same amount is needed to complete the remaining projects. The master plan area covers 1,155 bigaha land.

Lumbini is expected to attract a whopping number of tourists every year once the master plan is implemented. As per the data with the fund, some 1.7 million tourists visited the birthplace of Lord Buddha in 2018.