A view tower, constructed for NPR 6.8 million in Kawasoti, Susta, has fallen into neglect after three years of completion. Located in Kawasoti Municipality-1, Baluwadanda, the 60-foot-high tower was intended to boost tourism and local income, but it remains unused due to a lack of management and maintenance.
The steel bars of the tower have been stolen, and the structure is now a hotspot for drinking and smoking, according to resident Jitumaya Rana. She reported that the steel bars have been cut and removed, plaster is peeling off, and trash is scattered around. The ground has also become uneven and cracked.
The tower was expected to enhance tourist activity and increase local earnings. However, its continued inactivity has led to security concerns and diminished local satisfaction. Rana noted that the absence of a managing body has resulted in increased vandalism and safety issues, with groups drinking late into the night and sometimes even during the day, creating a dangerous environment for local children.
Tabarak Ahmad Miyan, the ward chairman of Kawasoti-1, mentioned that despite the tower not being operational, over a hundred domestic tourists visit the site daily. He is advocating for the municipality to take immediate action to properly manage and operate the tower, which is currently losing potential revenue and accumulating waste due to its neglected state.
To address the issue, the municipality allocated NPR 1 million in the fiscal year 2079/80 to build a compound wall around the tower and has allocated the same amount for the current fiscal year. Kawasoti Mayor Vishnu Prasad Bhusal confirmed that the tower’s management and operation are a priority and that discussions are ongoing about involving the ward office and locals in its upkeep.
Located about 800 meters above sea level, the view tower is 11 kilometers from the East-West Highway’s Phoolchowk and offers panoramic views of most of the district, including Chitwan and parts of India.
