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In Pictures: Kathmandu’s $20m facelift

Nepal’s government launches a $20m beautification project for the capital ahead of the South Asian summit.

On November 26-27, Nepal will host the 18th SAARC summit in Kathmandu. In preparation, Kathmandu is being given a facelift costing a reported $20m in order to beautify the city. 
By Omar Havana
Published On 26 Nov 2014

Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal hosts the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in the capital this week, welcoming leaders from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.

In preparation for the conference on Wednesday and Thursday, Kathmandu is undergoing a facelift of sorts. Roads are being repaved and buildings renovated in order to beautify the capital city.

Hundreds of portable solar panels, meanwhile, have been installed on the main streets that will be traveled by SAARC delegates, in a country facing daily electricity shortages.

The government of Nepal has already incurred expenses reportedly totaling $20m, and completing the infrastructure work will likely exceed that figure.

In addition to worries about costs incurred, concerns have also been raised about the decision by the Nepalese government to limit press access, only allowing one videographer and one photographer for each country represented to enter Singha Durbar, city hall, the main venue for the summit.

Nepal is hosting SAARC for the third time. The summit of South Asian nations was first held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1985.

Issues to be discussed this week include enhancing rail and road connectivity, and setting up a regional power grid.

A worker paints one of the streets leading to Kathmandu(***)s city hall, the main venu of the upcoming 18th SAARC summit in Kathmandu, Nepal.
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Two workers hang a poster with the photo of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while another places tiles on one of the sidewalks leading to Singha Durbar in Kathmandu.
A worker repairs the seats of the main auditorium inside Kathmandu(***)s city hall.
Workers install solar panels on one of the streets situated near Kathmandu(***)s city hall days ahead of the 18th SAARC summit in Kathmandu.
Workers repair one of the streets leading to Singha Durbar as part of Kathmandu(***)s facelift.
Two female workers shovel sand to repair one of the streets near Lazimpat Avenue.
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Residents watch workers repair the main entrance to Singha Durbar.
A young worker cleans one of the streets near Kathmandu(***)s city hall.
Workers pave one of the streets near the city(***)s ring road as part of the preparations for the 18th SAARC summit.
A group of workers take a break from repairing one of the streets.
Workers varnish the sidewalk near the Maitighar Mandala.
A group of workers renovate the Maitighar Mandala, a symbolic monument located in the heart of Kathmandu.
Local journalists gather to protest against the decision to limit press access at the 18th SAARC summit.