Nepal News: How Much Did It Cost to Build the Parliament House That Was Set on Fire?

Nepal Parliament: Protesters in Nepal have set the country’s Parliament building on fire. This comes shortly after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned from his post. But do you know how much it cost to build the Nepalese Parliament?

You must have already seen the news that the Nepal Parliament building was set ablaze by angry protesters. The unrest unfolded just minutes after Prime Minister Oli stepped down from his position. Videos circulating on X and television reports have shown the violence and chaos. But here’s something you might not know – how much money was spent constructing the Parliament building?

Oli’s Residence Also Torched

There are also reports in the media that Oli is planning to flee Nepal. He may leave for Dubai on the pretext of receiving medical treatment. A few hours before his resignation, protesters set fire to his residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur. The demonstrators are holding the Prime Minister accountable for the violent clashes that broke out on Monday, which reportedly left at least 19 people dead. The protests were sparked by the government’s temporary ban on social media platforms, which it lifted late Monday night after nationwide outrage.

When Was the Parliament Built?

The federal Parliament building of Nepal – also known as the Singha Durbar Parliament Complex – was set on fire by protesters today. According to media reports, the main building was damaged but not completely destroyed. Construction of this Parliament building began in 2019 within the Singha Durbar complex. It is Nepal’s first purpose-built legislative facility. Before this, following the federal restructuring, the government was renting and using the International Convention Center in Baneshwor.

The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction awarded the contract to a joint venture between China’s Second Harbour Engineering Company and Nepal’s Tundi Construction.

How Much Did It Cost?

Initially, the project’s estimated cost was 5 billion Nepalese rupees – around USD 37.5 million at the 2025 exchange rates. The contract was finalized at 5.242 billion Nepalese rupees. However, due to construction delays, rising material costs, and multiple deadline extensions (now extended four times), the cost has risen by an additional 560 million rupees. As a result, the total estimated cost has reached 5.802 billion Nepalese rupees – approximately USD 43.5 million. Construction is still incomplete.