Himal Press 
BUTWAL: Lumbini Cable Car has formally started its operation. Prime Minister Dahal inaugurated Lumbini Province’s first cable car service amid a ceremony on Wednesday.
The cable car service, which is 3 kilometers long, connects Golpark in Bamghat area of Butwal Sub-metropolitan City with Basantapur hill in Palpa’s Tinau Rural Municipality.
IME Group has entered into a tripartite agreement with Butwal Sub-metropolitan City and Tinau Rural Municipality for the operation of the cable car. As per the agreement, two percent of the ticket fee will be allocated to the two municipalities.
Lumbini Cable Car is IME Group’s third cable car project, following the successful launches of the Moulakalika cable car in Nawalparasi and Chandragiri cable car in Kathmandu.
Speaking on the occasion, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, chairman of IME Group, expressed his belief that the Lumbini Cable Car will further elevate Basantapur as a prominent religious and tourist destination. He said the project will make a positive impact for the economic and social transformation of Rupandehi, Palpa, Nawalparasi and Kapilvastu districts, and the entire Lumbini province.
The total cost of the project is Rs 5 billion. While Rs 1.5 billion has been invited for the cable car service, the remaining Rs 3.5 billion is being invited to build a five-star resort at the top station in Basantapur hill. The cable car has 25 gondolas and have the capacity to serve 6,000 passengers daily.
