DAMAK: Pujan Dahal, a 63-year-old resident of Damak-3 Dhukurpani, could not have anticipated three years ago that a towering structure would loom in front of his house in the form of Damak View Tower.

“In the early days, there was considerable uncertainty about whether the view tower would even be built,” said Dahal.

“Now that it stands completed, the debate has shifted to whether this ambitious project will thrive or falter,” he commented.

Dahal, a contributor of free land during the tower’s construction, is among those who are growing increasingly concerned about its future.

Expressing worry, Dahal remarked, “Damak View Tower might end up facing the fate of Pokhara and Bhairahawa International Airport.”

He continued, “The government, investing over one and a half billion from the people’s sweat, has built this view tower for commercial purposes. Yet, as construction nears completion, there seems to be a lack of readiness to establish operational procedures.”

The failure to realize substantial returns could shatter the dreams of both the state and local populace, he lamented.

Rumors about the view tower began circulating when then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli envisioned its construction. Many, including Dahal, initially dismissed it as mere political chatter.

An imposing 18-storey tower now stands where once paddy fields stretched, transforming the landscape dramatically.

Initially, the area experienced a surge in land transactions due to the tower’s influence, with a wave of house constructions following suit.

However, current circumstances in the country have cast doubt on whether this enthusiasm will endure, local resident Narendra Gautam voiced skepticism.

Gautam expressed his reservations, stating, “Situated at a considerable distance from Damak Bazaar, the View Tower, although intended as a commercial venture, lacks confidence due to its isolated location. The absence of an inner road may hinder the functioning of banks, financial institutions, and markets within its 18-storey structure.”

In an era where time is of the essence for modern individuals, he noted, “People, especially those accustomed to towering structures in places like Korea, Malaysia, Dubai, and the Gulf, may not find the Damak View Tower appealing.”

Initiated as a project of Nepal’s national pride, the construction of Damak View Tower commenced on July 12, 2019, in Dhukurpani village, 6 km away from Damak Bazaar.

The Damak View Tower Land Consolidation and Management Support Committee, comprising 15 members, was formed to consolidate 59 bighas of land for a modern urban infrastructure.

The contractor company, Ashish Om Sairam JV, has declared its intention to complete construction by the end of this month and hand it over to the government.

Initially budgeted at over Rs 1.39 billion, the construction costs escalated by 9 percent, reaching a total cost (excluding VAT) of Rs 1.56 billion.

Despite nearing completion by the end of January, there is widespread concern as no plan has been formulated for the operation of Damak View Tower, leaving its fate uncertain.

The worry lingers that it may become little more than a landmark for visitors, rather than a bustling hub for commerce and community activities.

In a collaborative effort, 21 local individuals generously contributed around five bigha of land for the tower’s construction.

The 18-story concrete slope and a 28-meter high steel tower have been completed at the designated site.

Sub-Engineer Subhasankhar Biraji from Ashish Om Sairam JVC confirmed that the entire construction work is finished, with the final touches of painting currently underway.

Towering View Tower

Standing at an impressive 100 meters, the Damak View Tower has become a symbol of architectural prowess, surpassing the height of the reconstructed Bhimsen Dharahara in Kathmandu by 16 meters.

The 18-storey structure, a monumental project initiated with national pride, is set to offer more than just panoramic views.

Constructed with an eye on safety and modernity, the View Tower boasts earthquake, lightning, and fire-resistant technologies.

Equipped with a ‘lightning arrester’ to ward off lightning strikes and an automatic sprinkler system for fire prevention, the tower prioritizes the well-being of its visitors.

Each floor, standing at four meters high, is a testament to precision and functionality.

Ensuring sustainability, a water treatment plant has been integrated to supply drinking water to all floors, while a system recycles water from toilets for use in the tower’s garden.

The tower’s ground floor is designed to accommodate 40 four-wheelers and 200 two-wheelers, emphasizing convenience from the very foundation.

With a strategic layout, the commercial potential of the View Tower is apparent.

The first four floors are dedicated to commercial spaces, followed by a seminar hall on the fifth floor.

The tower hosts banks, financial institutions, and other business centers from the sixth to ninth floor.

The tenth to fourteenth floors house an exhibition hall for agricultural and industrial goods, while the fifteenth and sixteenth floors feature a restaurant and lodge.

Regina Bhattarai (Prasain), the Deputy Head of Damak Municipality, highlights that, as the completion of the View Tower approaches its final stages, there has been no communication or consultation at any level with the municipality regarding its subsequent operation.

The top two floors offer rooms equipped for optimal viewing experiences.

Despite its grandeur, the Damak View Tower faces challenges beyond its architectural marvel.

Two years ago, Damak Municipality-3 envisioned creating a ‘smart city’ around the tower, but plans were thwarted due to local resistance.

The Damak View Tower Land Consolidation and Management Support Committee, comprising 15 members, was formed to consolidate 59 bighas of land for a modern urban infrastructure.

However, disagreements over compensation for land donation and complications in the integrated land management process hindered the ‘smart city’ initiative.

In the previous fiscal year, Damak Municipality allocated a budget of Rs 100 million for the “New Damak” project, aimed at transforming the adjacent 59 bighas of land into a systematic and innovative ‘Smart City.’

Despite the setback, the Damak View Tower stands tall, awaiting its role as a symbol not just of architectural excellence but also of potential urban development.

The fate of the ‘smart city’ project remains uncertain, but the towering structure continues to shape the skyline, representing both ambition and challenges for Damak and its residents.

The municipality had initially embarked on the ‘Smart City’ project, envisioning it as a means to support the operation of the View Tower.

In this initiative, local residents were expected to contribute land, while the municipality would assist in the systematic construction of roads, electricity, drinking water facilities, sewage systems, gardens, schools, health posts, and other structures.

Currently, local residents are engaged in plotting land on the east side of the View Tower, participating in the active buying and selling of plots.

The housing company’s office serves as a hub for these activities, where a four-bigha plot is being transacted after being acquired at a discounted rate.

Following the failure of the plan to consolidate 59 bighas of land for modern urban infrastructure, the Damak View Tower Land Consolidation and Management Support Committee convened at Panchkanya Housing’s office, marking a shift in local land-use patterns.

The responsibility for the operation of the View Tower is anticipated to be transferred to the municipality after the completion of its construction.

Sudeep Paudel, the project head of the Bhadrapur Jhapa Intensive Urban Development and Building Project, indicated that the Urban Development Department is preparing to delegate the operational task to Damak Municipality.

Paudel emphasized that Damak Municipality holds the responsibility for the View Tower’s operation. If the municipality expresses reluctance, alternative arrangements will be explored.

He clarified that given the tower’s location within Damak Municipality, it is advantageous for the local government to oversee its management.

The government was advised to conduct such projects based on the identification of demand and needs to ensure a satisfactory return on investment.

Paudel stated, “The Urban Development Department has been overseeing the operation of large meeting halls across the country, and we plan to follow a similar model for the View Tower. It should be operational within the next six months.”

However, Damak Municipality has raised concerns, expressing its inability to operate and manage the View Tower, built at the expense of the federal government, without a comprehensive operational blueprint for the Damak area.

Despite being a substantial project, the tower’s distance from the city poses a potential challenge to its efficient operation.

Regina Bhattarai (Prasain), the Deputy Head of Damak Municipality, highlights that, as the completion of the View Tower approaches its final stages, there has been no communication or consultation at any level with the municipality regarding its subsequent operation.

Acknowledging the municipality’s incapacity to manage such a significant project, Deputy Chief Bhattarai suggests that the central or state government should take on the operational responsibilities, with the municipality offering support in terms of management.

“Post the View Tower’s construction, there is currently no concrete plan or strategy in place for its management,” Deputy Chief Bhattarai remarked.

“The present challenge lies in transforming the View Tower into a functional business center, and someone needs to step up and assume responsibility,” she added.

The foundation stone for Damak View Tower was laid by then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in July 2019.

Former Prime Minister Oli faced criticism for heavy investment in what some deemed unproductive ventures, such as the View Tower.

Oli’s insistence even led to the Madan Bhandari Highway being rerouted to pass near the View Tower.

During the construction phase, the Auditor General’s Office raised concerns about operational procedures and the assurance of return on investment for Damak View Tower.

The government was advised to conduct such projects based on the identification of demand and needs to ensure a satisfactory return on investment.