Kathmandu, April 29, 2025 - Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is facing a grim reminder of inefficiency and mismanagement. Nineteen state-of-the-art electric vehicles donated to the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) for promoting sustainable tourism have been left to deteriorate, some even infested by termites, due to neglect and bureaucratic delays.
These vehicles, funded by the Asian Development Bank under the South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Program, were handed over to the Trust in May 2022. Designed to enhance tourist mobility in Lumbini, the fleet includes 14 vans and five buses equipped with air conditioning, automatic doors, and accessibility features for individuals with disabilities. Powered by lithium batteries, they can travel up to 400 kilometers on a single charge and offer card-based payment facilities. Despite such advanced features, the vehicles remain unused.
Legal and Administrative Bottlenecks
The core issue lies in the failure to comply with legal requirements for operating the vehicles. A court directive issued earlier mandated converting their white license plates to green, aligning with their intended use for public transportation. However, the deadline for compliance has passed, and the vehicles remain immobilized. Siddhicharan Bhattarai, treasurer of LDT, stated, “We are working to implement the court’s order. The process to convert the plates and put the vehicles to use has begun.”
A Blow to Sustainable Tourism
The inaction has sparked outrage among tourism entrepreneurs and environmentalists. Phunuru Sherpa, a tourism entrepreneur, criticized the lack of vision and effective management within the Trust. “Lumbini hosts millions of pilgrims and tourists from around the world, yet the unbearable heat and poor transportation discourage them from returning. This is a failure to recognize and utilize a valuable resource,” he said.
Public Assets Wasted
As the vehicles sit idle, their lithium batteries—prone to degradation over time—are losing functionality, adding to the waste of public assets. Local voices have begun demanding accountability, suggesting the government transfer these vehicles to agencies capable of putting them to use if the Trust fails to act.
Hope Amid Challenges
While Lumbini remains a beacon of spiritual and cultural significance, the inefficiency of its custodians threatens its reputation. Legal clarity and proactive measures are imperative to revive these vehicles and fulfill the vision of sustainable and accessible tourism in Lumbini.
Ecosphere News will continue to monitor this story and advocate for solutions that align with Lumbini’s significance as a global pilgrimage destination.
Editorial Note
The need for efficient management and accountability in handling public assets cannot be overstated. Lumbini’s case highlights how mismanagement can undermine efforts toward sustainability and tourism development. The government and concerned stakeholders must act swiftly to rectify this oversight and uphold the sanctity of this revered site.
