Kathmandu, August 19

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been constructing prefabricated buildings with a view to enhance infrastructural safety in the aftermath of the April 25 earthquake.

The foundation work for constructing prefab buildings has been completed in over 600 square feet area on the premises of the City Hall, Pradarshani Marg. KMC officials said the construction would be completed by next month.

KMC staffers have been operating in a congested environment at the City Hall after the office in Bagh Durbar suffered damage due to the temblor.

Uttar Kumar Regmi, chief of Department of Physical Development and Construction at KMC said the rooms in City Hall were insufficient for staff, officials, and equipment. A large number of service seekers flock the City Hall every day, adding to the congestion.

“Some of the departments will be relocated to the prefabricated building for smooth operation,” he said, adding that a budget of Rs 80,00,000 had been allocated for the building. The construction work is being carried out carefully so that the gardens, open spaces, and landscapes on the premises are unharmed. The building will be handed over to the City Hall after reconstruction at Bagh Durbar is completed within three years, said Regmi.

KMC has published a Letter of Intent inviting tenders from qualified contractors willing to construct a three-storey prefabricated building in the northeast corner of the quake-damaged Bagh Durbar. The three-storey prefabricated building of 8,000 square feet will have a warranty period of 50 years.

“The proposed building can withstand up to 9 magnitude earthquake and will be constructed within the next four months,” Regmi said, informing that KMC has allocated Rs 20 million for the building. Currently, the departments of revenue, urban development, legal, and registration of KMC have been operating from open spaces in Bagh Durbar.