A huge sum of people’s investment–around Rs 540 million–has been used in the development of the Pashupati area over the past four years. 

At a press conference held in the Capital on Sunday, Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) Member Secretary Govinda Tondon spoke of the advent of a transparent working system in the trust through administrative reforms. 

The trust’s officials, who were appointed on July 9, 2013, said an exemplary work had been accomplished in infrastructure development during the period for promotion of religious tourism. 

The construction of a garden at Bhandarkhal–in the final stages of completion–along with the creation of Hansamandap at Nirmal Akhada and the operation of electric crematorium were considered to be among the exemplary works carried out during the period. 

Kalyan Sharma has reached an agreement with the PADT to invest Rs 30 million for the reconstruction of the Jayabageshwori temple, which was partially damaged during the massive earthquake of April 25, 2015. 

Rabindra Puri has also reached an agreement with the PADT to invest Rs 30 million for the reconstruction of four Shivalaya Sattals. 

Buddha Air’s Chairman Surendra Bahadur Basnet has agreed to build a Kiriyaputri building with 12 rooms at an investment of Rs 15 million. 

The PADT has reached an agreement of Rs 43.5 million with the Nepal Investment Bank Ltd (NIBL) for the construction of a museum in the Pashupati area. 

The trust also reached an agreement with the Nepal SBI Bank, under which the latter will invest Rs 32.5 million for the construction of the main southern gate of Pashupati, Tondon added. 

State Bank of India Group Chair Arundhati Bhattacharya has reached an agreement in principle to display a notice appealing for support to Pashupatinath in 27,000 ATM counters in India. Preparations are being made to reach an agreement for the purpose. 

Meanwhile, the construction of a three-star dharmashala has started. The facility, being built in an area of 14 ropanis of land, will accommodate as many as 400 devotees.

The construction of the dharmashala undertaken at an investment of Rs 220 million will be completed within a year.