The implementation of the Lumbini Master Plan prepared by Japanese architect professor Kenjo Tange in 1978 will gain momentum only 23 years after its formation.

Minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation Bal Bahadur KC said that the Mayadevi temple, the construction of which will be completed on Buddha Jayanti, will help carry enhance the image of Nepal internationally. He also informed that the estimated cost of Rs 65.955 million for the construction of the temple had already been sanctioned. The foundation stone for the construction of the temple was laid by then prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala in 1998.

A meeting of the executive committee of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) held here on Sunday, presided over by the minister who is also the LDT chairman Bal Bahadur KC, took a decision to immediately start implementing the remaining portion of the master plan.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, KC said that the meeting had reviewed the works carried out in Lumbini so far and a decision had been made to start completing the master plan.

Stating also that Nepal Telecommunications Corporation was distributing 500 telephone connections to the area, minister KC said that steps were also being taken for the establishment of a Lumbini international university. LDT vice-president Omkar Prasad Gauchan and its member-cum-secretary Janak Lal Shrestha also attended the meeting.