Sunrise International Convention Center Damaged in Arson Attack

Lalitpur. The Sunrise International Convention Center, built for government assemblies and conferences in Godawari, Lalitpur, has been destroyed following arson and vandalism during the Janji movement. In the violent incident that occurred on Bhadra 24, the main hall of the convention center caught fire, causing the roof to collapse, and significant damage to the glass, internal structure, and other physical infrastructure.

The convention center, built on 43 ropanis and 15 anas of land in Godawari, had a capacity to accommodate approximately three thousand spectators and participants. The Ministry of Urban Development had the foundation stone laid by then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Kartik 5, 2076, and Prime Minister Oli himself inaugurated it virtually on Baishakh 31, 2078.

The project, initially contracted for construction at a cost of approximately 62 crore rupees, saw its cost increase to nearly 81 crore rupees. KC-Samanantar JV had received the construction contract, and the construction period for this project was extended twice.

Since Asar 2078, the convention center has been operating through the International Convention Center Development Committee. The issue of 100 ropanis, 1 anna, 3 paisa of land, acquired with compensation for the convention center, being encroached upon had also surfaced earlier.

The damage to this modern infrastructure, built for government programs, national and international assemblies and conferences, has caused significant financial loss to the state. Photo: Suryams Up्रेti / Nepal Photo Library