Once a conflict-era battle site, Palpa's Basantapur hill now a cable-car tourist draw

Basantapur hill in Palpa, once known as a site of clashes between the then-CPN (Maoist) and the Nepali Army during the armed conflict, has now become a tourist destination.

Investment has started picking up at the hill, which lies in Tinau Rural Municipality-3, since the Lumbini Cable Car began operating there.

A journey that used to take about two hours on foot from Butwal bazaar now takes about half an hour by cable car.

Operator Chandra Dhakal says the cable car, originally aimed at Indian tourists, now draws more Indians than any other group.

According to him, Indian tourists are drawn by the chance to enjoy cool weather on the hill even when Butwal is hot.

Following the cable car, there are plans to develop the hill further with facilities including a five-star hotel, a casino and a jeep park.