PM Dahal vows development of Mahankal

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said development issues of Mahankal, a remote place of Lalitpur district, would be incorporated in the policy and programmes for the forthcoming fiscal year.

Agriculture and religious tourism in this region would be given a boost, he reminded.

PM Dahal said it while inaugurating the Bagmati State-level inter-municipality volleyball competition held in memory of Prakash Dahal.

The tournament organized by the Pragya Memorial Foundation kicked off at Mahankal Rural Municipality, Lalitpur.

“I realized that this area, despite its location in the Kathmandu Valley, is neglected in development. It is imperative to expand the road to ensure Kathmandu visit in an hour,” he said, adding that forthcoming budget will incorporate the agenda of road expansion.

Moreover, he assured that federal government would take initiative to announce Mahankal rural municipality as a tourist destination. The Head of Government also reminded that volleyball was announced as the national sport of Nepal during his second stint as PM. He urged the players to perform in a disciplined manner.

On the occasion, Mahankal rural municipality Chairperson Ganesh Bahadur KC urged the PM for his positive intervention in budget to introduce site of religious tourism in the rural municipality as it is home to Baitarnidham, Kaleshwor Mahadev Temple, Longtong Stupa, and Simba waterfall.

Likewise, coordinator of the competition, Dolma Maya Gole, expressed her confidence that the sport would aid in opening the door of opportunities for development and promotion of agriculture and religious tourism in the area.

In the inaugural match being held in the premises of Mahankal Secondary School at Mahankal Rural Municipality, Mahankal Rural Municipality A and Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City of Makawanpur are competing. There are 17 teams vying in the competition.

The winning team will take home Rs 300,000 cash prize while those trailing it will get Rs 200,000 and those two teams finishing third will obtain Rs 100,000 each.
The top best players and coaches will receive Rs 50,000 each. Nepal Volleyball Association has provided technical assistance to the

competition organized in support of the National Sports Council and the Bagmati Province Sports Development Council.

Lalitpur District Sports Development Committee is co-organizer of the competition, it was shared.