KATHMANDU: Dharahara, located in Sundhara, Kathmandu, has emerged as a significant tourism hub. The landmark attracts between 1,200 and 1,500 visitors daily, with numbers climbing to between 2,500 and 2,800 on holidays and public leave days.
Mahesh Rai, section officer at the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and head of the interim management office for Dharahara, stated that the site holds immense potential. He noted that if managed effectively, it could become a substantial source of income. “If we can operate it in an organized manner, we can generate significant income and attract more domestic and foreign tourists. There is potential to increase state revenue and create jobs by enhancing connectivity with the tourism sector around Dharahara,” Rai said.
Visitors to the site currently use services including sightseeing, relaxation in open spaces, yoga, event hosting, film shoots, and photography. The tower, which was damaged in the 2015 earthquake, was officially opened to the public on Nov. 24, 2024, following reconstruction.
Revenue collection has shown growth, with Rs 108.5 million collected in the last fiscal year, 2025-26, compared to approximately Rs 51 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. However, Rai highlighted that a lack of policy clarity regarding the operation and management of the tower poses challenges for future planning. “Some areas fall under the Ministry of Tourism, others under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, and some may now fall under the metropolitan or local government. There is a need for coordination between these three bodies,” he added.
