Kathmandu, February 7 The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has decided to preserve the façade of Singha Durbar through retrofitting. A meeting of the executive committee of NRA led by its Chief Executive Officer Govinda Raj Pokharel today formed a committee for retrofitting the old administrative building of the country that was damaged by the devastating earthquake of 2015. Singha Durbar was built in 1908 by then prime minister Chandra Shumsher JBR during the Rana regime and has unique aesthetic and archaeological value, which is why the NRA has decided to restore it to its original design by retrofitting it, said CEO Pokharel. “The consultant has also submitted a report that the building can be strengthened through retrofitting.” Pokharel further said that it would be difficult to develop Singha Durbar’s façade in its original structure by demolishing the existing one. However, the building will not be used for administrative office purposes after the retrofitting. “NRA is going to retrofit it only for preservation and it will not be suitable to keep offices in this building.” The committee formed by NRA for the retrofitting of the façade of Singha Durbar under the convenership of Hari Ram Parajuli, NRA executive committee member, comprise representatives from the Department of Archaeology, joint secretaries from NRA and Ministry of Urban Development and archaeologists Rohit Ranjitkar, Santosh Shrestha and Rabindra Puri, as per Yam Lal Bhusal, spokesperson for NRA. Retrofitting work will be started soon.