KATHMANDU: The Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Bidya Sundar Shakya has decided to continue the ongoing reconstruction of Rani Pokhari, despite the opposing views from various stakeholders related to the reconstruction. The KMC Mayor has reached the site to break the padlock on the gate. Rani Pokhari was padlocked yesterday after Deputy Mayor of KMC Hari Prabha Khadgi vowed to stop the ongoing reconstruction of the site. The reconstruction has turned into a political tussle as stakeholders related to the reconstruction have been airing opposing views. Currently, the argument is whether the reconstruction of the historical pond would be carried out using traditional skills or modern technology. Workers at the construction site were using excavators to dig out the mud and were constructing the concrete wall until yesterday. Activists and locals have been demanding that KMC scrap its plan to build an amusement park, a coffee shop, and boating facility at the pond. They have asked KMC to reconstruct the pond using traditional materials and skills. On the contrary, KMC said it would stick to its plan to complete the project with the use of modern technology. KMC officials, however, have claimed that the rebuilt pond will be able to earn revenues up to Rs 100,000 per day if constructed in the current proposed model. READ ALSO:

• Rani Pokhari reconstuction row turning into political tussle