KATHMANDU: Members of the Finance Committee from the House of Representatives expressed concern over the slow progress of Lumbini’s development during their visit to the historic site on Sunday.

Led by Committee Chair Santosh Chalise, the team visited key landmarks, including the Mayadevi Temple, the Pushkarani Pond, the Ashoka Pillar, and several monasteries. The group raised concerns about the delayed completion of the Lumbini Master Plan.

Speaking during the visit, Finance Committee member Surya Thapa highlighted the importance of Lumbini as a global pilgrimage site for Buddhists and peace advocates.

He noted that 88% of the master plan has been executed but cited a lack of adequate funding as a major hurdle in completing the remaining work. Thapa assured that the committee would address the budget constraints to expedite development efforts.

Sanu Raja Shakya, the Member-Secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust, briefed the lawmakers on the status of the master plan and recent activities in the region. He emphasized Lumbini’s archaeological, cultural, and religious significance and expressed concern over declining budget allocations in recent years.

The visit concluded with the lawmakers offering prayers at the Mayadevi Temple and other sacred sites, reaffirming their commitment to advocating for the timely development of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.