A sub-committee formed to develop the standards for basic infrastructure

Kathmandu, August 21

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has paved the way to develop integrated settlements in three districts that were badly hit by the devastating earthquake of April 2015.

The NRA has principally agreed to develop integrated settlements as per the standards set by the local bodies (in Jilu of Dolakha, Baguwa Milan Basti of Gorkha and Melamchi Jarayotar of Sindhupalchowk districts).

The government will develop necessary basic infrastructure like access roads, electricity, drinking water, health posts, schools, among others, in the aforementioned integrated settlements, according to NRA Spokesperson Yam Lal Bhoosal.

“The houses that will be developed in the integrated settlements would have to follow the safe building codes and the designs would need to be approved by the concerned municipalities and rural municipalities.”

The NRA has also formed a sub-committee to develop the standards for the basic infrastructure that the NRA will develop in the integrated settlements. The sub-committee led by Executive Member of NRA Dhruba Prasad Sharma comprises Joint Secretaries Prakash Thapa and Krishna Dawadi, representative from the Ministry of Urban Development and Chief Survey Officer of the NRA Kamal Ghimire. The sub-committee will hold discussions with stakeholders and experts while developing the standards of the basic infrastructure that the government is going to develop in the integrated settlements.

The executive committee meeting of NRA led by its CEO Govinda Raj Pokharel has instructed the sub-committee to submit its report in 15 days.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, NRA CEO Pokharel said that the authority will follow the provisions of National Reconstruction Authority Act. The act allows NRA to identify and develop integrated settlements, rehabilitate and resettle quake-affected  people as per standards developed by the authority.