India provides Rs 150 million to construct 'dharmashala' in Nepal

Kathmandu, Feb 20 (UNI) India has given financial assistance of Rs 150 million to Nepal for the construction of a 'dharmashala', the Indian Embassy said here today.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee laid the foundation stone for the new building of Nepal Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharmashala at a function in Kathmandu yesterday.

The 'dharmashala' is expected to have the capacity of over 400 beds with separate space for office, reception, prayer hall, kitchen, dining hall and power and other utilities.

It will provide a good quality and affordable resting place to Hindu pilgrims and promote the development of the Pashupati area, a press release issued by the Embassy said.

A project monitoring committee consisting representatives of Pashupati Area Development Trust and the Embassy has been constituted to supervise the project.

Addressing the function, Mr Mukherjee said the government of India was happy to be part of infrastructure development of an important cultural and religious heritage of Nepal.

The 'dharmashala' would be an important symbol of age-old cultural bond between India and Nepal, he added.

He also stressed on the importance of the Indo-Nepal economic cooperation programme.

The release said the project is among the 13 that have been undertaken with Indian aid in recent years.

UNI XC SKB RN1446