Tilottama Multipurpose View Tower Remains Inaccessible Five Years After Inauguration

Butwal. The Tilottama Multipurpose View Tower in Rupandehi, inaugurated by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli five years ago, has not yet opened to the general public. The 11-story tower, completed but not operational, has been in a state of neglect for five years. Although a contractor has been selected through tender for the operation of the view tower, an agreement with the concerned company is yet to be finalized. The tower, constructed within the premises of the Shankarnagar Forest विहार and Research Center (Van Batika) in Tilottama Municipality-1 and 2, is expected to become a major tourist destination. The Van Batika features a beautiful garden, a small zoo, and a picnic spot, attracting crowds, especially during the winter season for visits and picnics. Visitors to the park can see the tall view tower within the premises but have not had the opportunity to climb it and observe the surrounding scenery. Ranjita Thapa, 28, from Murgiya, Saina-maina Municipality, encountered at the Van Batika, expressed surprise that the tower has not been operational for many years since its inauguration. She said, 'I heard it was inaugurated years ago, but I haven't been able to climb it yet. When I come here, I wish I could climb it myself and take the children around. Now it just looks like a tall building, not operational.' The tower was grandly inaugurated by then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on March 15, 2078 BS (2022 AD), while some construction work was still pending. During the inauguration, Oli himself climbed the tower and observed the surrounding scenery. However, despite nearly five years having passed since the inauguration, the tower has not opened to the general public. Tender Received, Agreement Pending Tilottama Municipality repeatedly called for tenders for the operation of the view tower, but the private sector was not attracted. Most recently, The Nest Hotel in Butwal has secured the tender. According to the hotel's operator, Madhav Dhakal, the tender was awarded at an annual rate of approximately 4.4 million rupees including VAT to be paid to the municipality. However, the date for the agreement has not been set as the municipality needs to complete some repair and infrastructure construction work before handing over the operation. According to Dhakal, some glass panes of the tower were broken during the Jenji movement, requiring repair. Additionally, the construction of the road leading to the tower is also pending. He said, 'We have received the tender, but the municipality needs to complete some work before signing the agreement. Some glass panes of the tower were broken during the Jenji movement. The road leading to the tower also needs to be constructed.' He added, 'The sooner the municipality completes these works, the sooner the agreement will be signed and the operation process will move forward.' Tilottama Municipality has stated that it has awarded contracts to construction entrepreneurs for these works. The view tower was contracted in 2074 BS (2017 AD) and construction began in 2075 BS (2018 AD). The tower was constructed at a cost of approximately 110 million rupees with 70 percent investment from Tilottama Municipality and 30 percent from Van Batika. As the main building construction of the tower neared completion, plans were made to construct external structures in the second phase. This included the construction of structures such as a garden, water fountain, parking, and walls. For the construction of the second phase structures, 65 percent of the investment was to come from the federal government's tourism infrastructure program and 35 percent from Tilottama Municipality. Meanwhile, in February 2078 BS (2022 AD), an agreement was made with Anupama Engineering Construction for the operation of the view tower. The company was supposed to pay the municipality 3.975 million rupees annually for operating the tower. However, the second phase of construction was affected due to insufficient budget from the tourism infrastructure program under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation of the federal government. Due to the budget shortage, the construction company could not proceed with the work. After the federal budget did not arrive, the municipality completed the second phase of work last year using its own budget, albeit with delays. The company that was previously responsible for the operation demanded an extension of the contract period, citing a three-year delay in the second phase of work. The company requested that the operating period, which was until the end of Asar 2088 BS (2031 AD), be extended to 2092 BS (2035 AD). The company claimed that it could not operate the tower within the stipulated time due to construction delays. Subsequently, the municipality initiated a new process and called for tenders for the operation of the view tower. Initially, tenders were invited for a 15-year operation period with a minimum price of 4.55 million rupees per year. Despite two rounds of tender calls, no entrepreneur showed interest. Thereafter, the municipality reduced the minimum price to 3.95 million rupees per year and re-invited tenders. Even then, entrepreneurs were not attracted. Entrepreneurs had been demanding an extension of the operating period rather than a reduction in the minimum price. They stated that it would be difficult to recover investment within a 15-year period and expressed readiness to operate the tower if a 25-year agreement was made. Now, tenders have been issued with an extended period. Expectation of Increased Tourists at Van Batika Once Tower is Operational Bhimlal Pandey, Chairman of Shankarnagar Forest विहार and Research Center (Van Batika), expressed hope that the long-neglected view tower would become operational after the recent tender. He recalled submitting a memorandum to the municipality demanding the operation of the view tower and stated that the expected tourism development of Van Batika has also been affected due to construction delays and non-operation. He said, 'Due to the tower not being operational for a long time, our investment has not been recovered for years. Once the tower is operational, we expect the number of tourists within the park to increase naturally.' He added, 'Therefore, the municipality must complete the necessary processes quickly and create an environment for operation.' Tilottama Municipality Mayor Ramkrishna Khan stated that the delay in operation was due to entrepreneurs not coming forward despite repeated tender calls. He informed that preparations are underway to finalize the agreement and bring it into operation soon, as a tender has been received most recently. According to him, the municipality has initiated procedures for some repairs and other works to be done inside the tower. The municipality plans to complete these works within a few weeks and make the view tower operational. There are eight rooms ready in the view tower building that can be used to operate a hotel. Additionally, structures suitable for operating restaurants, commercial offices, and shops have also been constructed. The view tower, which has been awaiting operation for five years, has now reached the stage of agreement through the tender process. If the municipality completes the repairs and necessary infrastructure construction in a timely manner and moves forward with the agreement process, it is expected that the general public will also be able to enjoy the views of Tilottama and its surroundings by climbing the tower.