The federal government has decided to manage and operate six structures, including the iconic Dharahara, and issue directives to operate them under the Special Structures Operation and Development Committee. The committee was established following the issuance of the Committee on Special Structures for Operations and Management Development (Formation Order), published in the Nepal Gazette on 18 November.

The listed structures include the International Convention Center in New Baneshwar, Kathmandu, which currently houses the Federal Parliament; Sunrise Hall at Godavari, Lalitpur; Butwal International Convention and Exhibition Center in Rupandehi; Dharahara in Kathmandu; and Damak View Tower in Jhapa.

The committee will oversee the operation of these facilities, including Dharahara, despite earlier recommendations suggesting that its management be handed over to local authorities for long-term operation.

Earlier, a study team led by Senior Divisional Engineer Lila Khatri of the Urban Development and Building Construction Department submitted a report on August 18 recommending Dharahara’s operation under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). However, the federal government chose to retain control under the Ministry of Urban Development, potentially sparking tensions between the KMC and the central government.

The recently issued order also disbanded the International Convention Center Development Committee, which had been in operation since 1994. According to the directive, the management of the facilities will now fall under an executive director appointed through open competition.

The central office of the Development Committee will be located in Kathmandu, with provisions to establish branch offices near other listed structures as necessary.

While the Damak View Tower, heavily promoted by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, remains incomplete and non-operational, the government has listed it among the special structures.

Previously managed by the KMC since 1998, Dharahara was destroyed in the 2015 earthquake and rebuilt under the National Reconstruction Authority.