A contract agreement was signed between the Embassy of India, Kathmandu & M/s Lama-Raman JV for the construction of Nepal Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharmashala Building at Tilganga, Kathmandu.

Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae and Govind Tandon, Member Secretary, Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT) other officials and representatives from different Ministries and PADT were also present there.

According  to a press release issued by Indian Embassy, the construction of the Dharmshala will be completed with the financial assistance of NRs 219.9 million in 18 months from start of work as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Embassy of India, Kathmandu and Pashupati Area Development Trust, Kathmandu. The Dharmashalawould have provision for dormitories, family rooms, kitchen, dining hall, library and some multipurpose halls to meet the requirements of the groups and families on pilgrimage to the Holy Pahupatinath.

“Apart from construction of the Dharmashala at Tilganga, the Government of India has made a commitment of more than NRs. 500 crore towards reconstruction of important cultural heritage sites that were damaged during the devastating earthquake of April-May 2015. In the past, as part of India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Program, the Government of India has been extending financial assistance towards restoration, preservation and creation of necessary facilities at different sites of religious-cultural importance in Nepal such as Museum building, Lumbini, Dharamshala at Muktinath, ponds at Janakpurdham, water-reservoir at Manokamana etc,” said a press release.

The India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Program has an outlay of over NRs 76 billion. Under this program, Government of India has completed or implementing more than 529 projects in almost all districts of Nepal. These development projects, executed in partnership with Government of Nepal, are mainly in sectors like education, health, physical infrastructure and historical-cultural sites that have been undertaken in response to local needs and aspirations.