The Everest Hotel in Baneshwor reopened, though partially, from today, after four years. The five start property was shuttered after the hotel was damaged due to devastating earthquake on May 12, 2015.
The hotel – that is yet to clear outstanding dues to the government, renew its operating licence and conduct an environmental impact assessment study – though has informed the Department of Tourism to start process to prepare an environmental impact assessment.
According to director general of the department Danduraj Ghimire, the hotel has submitted some documents. “The department is in the process of reviewing them,” he said, adding that the hotel has informed the department that it has started the process to prepare an environmental impact assessment report. “It has also said that currently 35 rooms have been renovated.”
An environmental impact assessment – a procedure performed in order to define the environmental impacts of the project – is mandatory for all new and old hotels with more than 100 beds.
The hotel has also to comply with several operational requirements, including the engineering and design that needs to be approved by Kathmandu Metropolitan City as well, before starting the complete operation.
“Until the hotel fulfills the requirements, its operating licence will not be renewed,” Ghimire said adding that as the hotel has committed to fulfill all the requirements, the department cannot abruptly prevent it from operating. “It has invested millions of rupees to renovate the property.”
The hotel has to come with valid documents to show it is ready for commercial operation to get the operating licence renewed.
On May 26, 2015, the 160-room five-star property was given a ‘red sticker’ by a government inspection team, declaring the building unfit to live in following the powerful aftershock on May 12 that severely damaged three main pillars in the hotel’s lobby.
A red sticker means that the structure has been damaged to the extent that it is dangerous to live.
The government team had also suggested the management to retrofit the building. But considering that the five-star hotel must have adequate safety measures, the hotel pulled its shutter down for retrofitting.
The hotel – that is yet to clear outstanding dues to the government, renew its operating licence and conduct an environmental impact assessment study – though has informed the Department of Tourism to start process to prepare an environmental impact assessment.
According to director general of the department Danduraj Ghimire, the hotel has submitted some documents. “The department is in the process of reviewing them,” he said, adding that the hotel has informed the department that it has started the process to prepare an environmental impact assessment report. “It has also said that currently 35 rooms have been renovated.”
An environmental impact assessment – a procedure performed in order to define the environmental impacts of the project – is mandatory for all new and old hotels with more than 100 beds.
The hotel has also to comply with several operational requirements, including the engineering and design that needs to be approved by Kathmandu Metropolitan City as well, before starting the complete operation.
“Until the hotel fulfills the requirements, its operating licence will not be renewed,” Ghimire said adding that as the hotel has committed to fulfill all the requirements, the department cannot abruptly prevent it from operating. “It has invested millions of rupees to renovate the property.”
The hotel has to come with valid documents to show it is ready for commercial operation to get the operating licence renewed.
On May 26, 2015, the 160-room five-star property was given a ‘red sticker’ by a government inspection team, declaring the building unfit to live in following the powerful aftershock on May 12 that severely damaged three main pillars in the hotel’s lobby.
A red sticker means that the structure has been damaged to the extent that it is dangerous to live.
The government team had also suggested the management to retrofit the building. But considering that the five-star hotel must have adequate safety measures, the hotel pulled its shutter down for retrofitting.
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