The decision to let Sidewalkers Traders Private Limited manage the area for a decade has been vehemently opposed by the locals. A series of protests has been held since the deal was struck five months ago. [break]
Though Sidewalkers has not been able to take the reins of the historic site that also happens to be one of the most popular tourist destinations of Kathmandu, the government has neither scrapped the deal nor has it given a green signal to the company to go ahead with its plan.
“Why should a private company be allowed to take charge of such a heritage? Is the government unable to do it itself?” said Ishan Adhikary, one of the protestors who was holding a placard in front of the KMC office on Tuesday. “Involving private companies like Sidewalkers will definitely harm the aesthetic value of Basantapur area in the long term. There are several other reasons why the locals do not want it to happen,” he added.
The protestors argued that commercialization of important heritage sites needs to be prevented as it robs Nepalis of the feeling that they own such an important place. Of even greater concern is the deal signed by KMC to allow Sidewalkers charge additional Rs 250 over the existing Rs 750 per ticket for tourists visiting the durbar square. The additional amount has been levied to make the tourists visit Dharahara compulsorily when they visit the durbar square.
Sidewalker was awarded the contract to manage Dharahara by the KMC in 2004.
However, the contractors have said that the locals have misunderstood the deal. Sanjiv Tuladhar, managing director of Sidewalkers Private Limited, said that they had consulted the local people and received consent of Nepal Tourism Board, Department of Archaeology and the UNDP while applying for the proposal at the KMC. “We have gone through all necessary process regarding this. The locals have misunderstood us. But not all of them are against us,” Tuladhar said.
Related story
Hanuman Dhoka Conservation Program collects Rs 152.35 million
