The Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) has welcomed the government announcement of completing the Lumbini Master Plan within two years.

The LDT representatives said they are pleased to learn that the government is injecting sufficient budget to accomplish the project that started 38 years ago. They said that around Rs 6 billion will be required to complete the master plan as envisioned by renowned Japanese architect late Kenzo Tange.

LDT Vice-chairman Nigrodh said the project has already been delayed by more than a decade (the master plan was supposed to be completed by 1995) due to budget insufficiency. “We are hopeful that this time around the works concerning the master plan will not be affected over lack of budget,” Nigrodh said. 

The LDT is yet to construct 17 more components in Lumbini to give the master plan its final shape. The job could be accomplished in two years with enough funding, officials said.

The remaining core development activities of the master plan include construction of monastery gardens and a park along the 2km stretch of the central canal system inside Lumbini area, and installation of power and communication systems. 

Chief Engineer of the LDT Saroj Bhattarai said nearly 70 percent of the work has been completed.  “We can complete the remaining works in time if the government allocates enough budget announced by the government this past week,” Bhattarai said.