Kathmandu, November 12

The National Reconstruction Fund has managed to collect as much as Rs 140.29 so far as part of ‘I Will Build My Dharahara Myself’ campaign for the reconstruction of the historical monument.

The amount was accumulated as donations from civil servants, various government agencies and citizens to rebuild Dharahara, also known as Bhimsen Tower, which came crashing down on April 25, 2015 after a devastating earthquake.

According to the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the government has already concluded an agreement with architectural and structural consultant and the rebuilding of Dharahara will commence from this month itself.

The process of procuring land and drawing up of initial design of Dharahara has already been completed. The estimated cost of reconstructing the historical monument is Rs 3 billion.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the fund collected in the NRF will be turned over to the Nepal Telecom which has offered to bear the remaining cost.

The telecom service provider is expected to support Rs 2.5 billion.

The National Reconstruction Authority will lead the construction works with participation of the Department of Archaelogy, Ministry of Information and Communications, Nepal Rastra Bank, Council of Ministers and Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

As per the design unveiled by the MoCTCA, the new Dharahara will have a façade similar to the old structure and spread over 42 ropanis of land in the vicinity of Sundhara-based General Post Office and Mint Department which the government will relocate somewhere else.

The new-to-be-built 11-storey monument comprising 22 floors will boast of an underground parking facility, two elevators, museum, theatre and other facilities and stand 245 feet.

It is projected to be completed within three years.

The iconic monument will remain as a to those who lost their lives in the quakes of April and May.

The names of all those who died during the quakes will be inscribed on it, said an OPMCM official.

The original 225-feet Bhimsen Tower was built in 1825 by the first prime minister of Nepal Bhimsen Thapa. It was partially damaged by the massive earthquake of 1934.