KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 23
An expert panel formed by the Department of Archaeology to study parts of Jaya Nepal-Kamaladi section of the Tukucha Khola bulldosed by Kathmandu Metropolitan City to unravel the allegedly encroached upon rivulet has found bricks engraved 'Shree 3 Bir'.
It indicates that the section of Tukucha Khola was underground some 130 years ago when Bir Shumsher JBR was the prime minister of Nepal. The bricks used for constructing the underground domelike structure for the passage of the rivulet were discovered in Hattisar area, said a DoA official.
The DoA had formed a panel led by archaeologist Bhaskar Gyawali after people questioned the indiscriminate demolition of the structure by the metropolis.
The official informed that the study was under way. If the panel confirms that the underground structure was built more than 100 years ago, it will be considered an ancient monument.
Ancient Monument Preservation Act- 1956 says any temple, monument, house, abbey, masonry, human settlement, or place more than 100 years old is considered an ancient monument. Anyone who destroys, demolishes, alters, or defaces an ancient monument shall be liable to a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 100,000 or an imprisonment of up to five years or both.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 24, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
