Kathmandu, November 26

Reconstruction of government buildings under the assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) has begun from the District Forest Office in Dhading.

ADB is going to provide monetary support of $17 million for the reconstruction of quarters of chief district officers, and buildings of the District Court and District Forest Office in Dhading.

The foundation stone of the District Forest Office was laid on Friday jointly by Joint Secretary of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Ram Prasad Thapaliya and ADB Nepal Mission’s Country Director Kenichi Yokoyama.

ADB has been providing support for the government building reconstruction under the ‘Earthquake Emergency Assistance Project’ (EEAP), which has total portfolio worth $232 million.

Under the project, reconstruction of earthquake ravaged roads, schools and government buildings have been prioritised, according to Yokoyama.

“ADB will provide support for the government building reconstruction in 14 severely affected districts, and the bank is planning to support in construction of 94 new office buildings and retrofitting of 88 existing buildings.”

The devastating earthquake of April 25 last year and the subsequent aftershocks, including a major one on May 12, destroyed 193 government buildings and partially damaged 510 other buildings in 31 districts of Nepal.

The government is planning to complete the rebuilding and retrofitting of the government buildings within the next three years.

Similarly, during the foundation stone laying ceremony in Dhading headquarter Dhadingbesi, Yokoyama expressed hope that the government will be able to accelerate the reconstruction works to conclude it within the stipulated timeframe, according to the statement issued by ADB.

“The main principle of reconstruction — build back better — will be fully adopted in the reconstruction of government buildings. Under this project, the buildings will be earthquake-resilient, friendly to the differently-abled and the environment, spacious, well equipped, and furnished,” the statement has quoted Yokoyama as saying.

“Efforts are also being made to relocate the government buildings close to each other, following the concept of integrating government buildings as adopted in the NRA’s Reconstruction Policy.”

The EEAP has signed contracts to reconstruct 10 buildings, notifications for awarding contracts have been issued for a further 10 buildings, invitations for bids have been published for six buildings, and the detailed engineering design for 15 buildings is ongoing.

The latter comprises four buildings in Gorkha, four in Dolakha, one in Ramechhap, two in Sindhuli and four in Sindhupalchowk, as per the statement.