Kathmandu, Nov 21: Prime Minister Sushil Koirala today visited the National City Hall, the venue for the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit scheduled to be held in the capital on November 26 and 27.
He inspected the stage where the Heads of State and Governments would be seated, the washrooms, the waiting lounge, chairs, mikes, arrangements for the management of guests and media persons and the sanitary condition of the Summit venue. On the occasion, Officiating Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development Suresh Prakash Acharya and Joint Secretary (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Arjun Kant Mainali, among other officials briefed the Prime Minister about the preparations.
The Prime Minister himself, from the podium, checked the sound system and listened to the tune to be presented during the Summit. Acting Secretary Acharya said the Prime Minister was satisfied with the preparation works. He said only cleaning work remains and this would be completed on Thursday itself.
Acharya said there is no truth in the rumours that have been circulating that the seats in the hall were narrow. He further said that the Ministry has been allocated with Rs 240 million for the repair and maintenance of the City Hall and the Singha Durbar Gallery Hall. Radio Nepal and Nepal Television have been making technical arrangements at the City Hall for live coverage of the Summit. The media was not allowed during the Prime Minister’s inspection visit.
Also today, Minister for Urban Development Dr Narayan Khadka inspected the City Hall and took stock of the preparation works there. The Security and diplomatic officials of the SAARC member countries have also been inspecting the City Hall. Sri Lankan security officials inspected the site today. Security around the vicinity of the City Hall has been tightened.
