Kavre, October 12

National Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyawali today claimed that the reconstruction of Ranipokhari in Kathmandu would be completed within a year.

Addressing a programme organised by Society for Economic Journalists Nepal at Dhulikhel, Kavre Gyawali said Ranipokhari would be constructed in three stages. “Since Kathmandu Metropolitan City has already approved the construction design, we will start  reconstruction work soon,” Gyawali said.

According to Gyawali, wall around Ranipokhari will be reconstructed in the first phase. In the second phase, Bal Gopaleshwor temple in the middle of the pond will be reconstructed,” he added.

Gyawali said that his office had agreed with Ministry of Forest to bring timber from Mahottari for the reconstruction of Kasthamandap. “A search for a special artist to rebuild Kasthamandap is on,” he said.

Gyawali said that the NRA had planned to hand over responsibility of reconstruction to the local levels. He expressed confidence that handing over the responsibility of reconstructing heritage monuments to the locals would make the work qualitative and sustainable.

NRA chief said 2,000 quake-hit families in Kavre should be transferred to a safer place. Ninety-seven per cent quake victims have received first instalment of the housing grant while 67 per cent beneficiaries have got the second instalment. Only 30 per cent quake victims have received the last instalment of the grant.