DOLAKHA, March 14: Dolakha Film City has been included among the list of projects to be showcased in the investment summit slated to be held in Kathmandu in the last week of March.
After a detailed study by Nepal Investment Board, 43 projects were finalized for showcasing in the summit. The film city made it to the ‘showcase’ list of tourism infrastructures.
The government is to present detailed descriptions of the projects in front of investors and encourage them to provide funds and investments.
The summit is being held by the government with hopes of inviting investment in different sectors. Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada heads the summit organizing committee.
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Among the list of projects to be showcased are: Gautam Buddha International Maternity Hospital, Janaki Heritage Hotel, Dhulikhel Dream Land, Taltalaiya Tourism Development Area Itahari, and Dolakha Film City. Since the committee is to add another 10 projects to the showcase list, a detailed report including the budget has not yet been finalized.
The erstwhile government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal had decided to transform Dolakha into a film city and also develop a modern studio in the district. However, the current government has not responded positively to this plan. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, who is also the chairperson of the investment board, initially wanted to prioritize the Gandaki Province and build a film festival some place close to the capital.
Under a study conducted by the investment board, a team of officials had inspected the Dangdunge region of Dolakha on January 25. After the study tour, the board convened a meeting which was attended by the PM. The study had deemed Dangdunge area most suitable for the project.
The area, which is close to the capital with a two-lane road currently being black topped, was considered the best option for film city. The board members had then persuaded the PM to agree with their decision.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government in February 2017 had allocated 2500 ropani land in Dangdunge area of Bhimeshwor Municipality-9, Dolakha, for the construction of the film city. The Film Development Board and Forest Ministry had signed an agreement on April 7, 2017, confirming the allocation of the land, which is part of forest area.
The Government has already spent Rs 400 million in this region for development of the film city. The money was spent on blacktopping 6-km long road from Kharidhunga of Lamosaghu-Jiri road to Dangdunge along with providing drinking water, electricity and other basic infrastructures in the region.
Popular actor Madandas Shrestha, who was part of the campaign to develop the region into a film city, said that inclusion of the project in the investment summit has guaranteed the development of the film city.
“I hope that international investors show interest in this project,” Shrestha said. He is also the coordinator of the film city construction committee.
Provincial lawmaker Bishal Khadka said that the provincial government has deemed the film city as a priority project.
