Himal Press 
BUTWAL: Lumbini Cable Car, which connects Butwal to Basantpur hill in Palpa, has all set to start operation. The construction of the cable car, which links Basantpur—a historically and archaeologically significant area in Tinau Rural Municipality 3—to Butwal and Palpa, has been completed, and technical testing is currently underway.
Gokul Saud, project manager of Lumbini Cable Car, has stated that preparations are underway to begin regular operations from May 29. Additionally, the company is preparing for a ‘Mahayagya’ ceremony at the Kamakhyadevi Temple at Basantapur from May 26 to June 1.
The cable car has a base station at Bamghat in Butwal Sub-metropolitan City-3 while the upper station is at Basantapur in Tinau Rural Municipality of Palpa. The cable car line, which is 2.6 km long, will have 25 gondolas, accommodating up to 8 passengers per gondola. The company expects to serve a maximum of 600 passengers per hour, with a daily capacity of 1,000 passengers.
The cable car project has been developed with an investment of approximately one billion rupees. In addition to the cable car, the development plans include the construction of a 150-room hotel with a casino, the Kamakhya Devi temple, restaurants and bars, as well as an amusement park.
The cable car aims to promote Basantpur as a tourist destination and attract Indian tourists. “The operation of Lumbini Cable Car will stimulate economic activities and contribute to the overall development in the surrounding areas,” said Said.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had laid the foundation stone for the cable car project on February 13, 2001.
