Indian Embassy and District Development Committee, Kathmandu and Budhanilkantha Narayan Area Management Committee signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for providing Indian grant assistance of NRs. 21.76 million for the construction of Mathadhis Building for Budhanilkantha Temple under Nepal-India Economic Cooperation Program. 

Budhanilkantha Temple has great religious and cultural significance for Hindus all over the world and thousands of pilgrims apart from tourists from India and elsewhere in the world visit the temple daily. The structure of the Mathadhis building has substantially deteriorated over the years. The new Mathadhis building being constructed with Indian assistance will significantly upgrade the infrastructure and facilities at the Temple.

According to a press release of Indian Embassy, the project will be implemented by the District Development Committee, Kathmandu in accordance with the existing norms and regulations of the Government of Nepal. They will also be responsible for ensuring the quality of construction of the project and its timely completion. The MoU stipulates the constitution of an Oversight Committee, comprising representatives of the District Development Committee and other stakeholders with a view to ensuring the implementation of the project in a time bound manner.

In addition to this school, 4 projects in Kathmandu District have already been completed with Indian assistance. Work is ongoing on 14 small development projects at a cost of NRs. 520.70 million. India has also gifted 33 ambulances, 28 school buses and 3 special medical vans to various organisations in Kathmandu. Besides this, India has also undertaken the construction of Trauma Centre in Kathmandu at an estimated cost of NRs. 160 crores. Arrangements are being made to operationalize the centre shortly.

Recognizing the importance of accelerating growth in Nepal, India remains committed to rendering all possible assistance in that direction. The India – Nepal Economic Program has an outlay of over NRs. 65 billion with more than 475 large and small development projects completed or currently being implemented in almost all the districts of Nepal. These development projects mainly in the sectors of education, health and infrastructure development have been undertaken in response to local needs, and in partnership with the Government of Nepal.