The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has collected more than Rs10 million from entry fees to Ratna Park in a year. 

The park has collected Rs10.13 million till Thursday, said Hari Sharan KC, unit chief at Ratna Park and Rani Pokhari. The metropolis had raised Rs8.5 million from the gate collection in the fiscal year 2015/16. 

Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of Environment Division at the KMC, said the money will be used to maintain and further beautification of the park. “Now, the metropolis has got new representative, the decision regarding the money will be finalised after the executive meeting between the elected representatives,” said Shrestha. 

With the number of visitors to Ratna Park crossing over 1,000 a day, the metropolis’ daily revenue collection hovers around Rs30,000. 

The number of visitors to the park has surged since the metropolis installed free wi-fi  hotspots last year. 

Besides, the park has been a big draw for shooting music videos and feature films of late. Fifty-five music videos and three feature films were shot in the park this year, yielding Rs202,900 for the metropolis, KC said. It costs Rs4,000 for shooting a music video and Rs7,000 a film. 

As well as maintaining greenery, the metropolis, in association with Unicef, 

has also built child and disabled-friendly toilets in the park.

The KMC charges Rs 25 and Rs15 as entry fee for adults and students with identity card, while the entry to elderly, children and differently-abled people is free.