• The project aims to develop the settlement as a major tourist attraction

Kathmandu, September 7

A house pooling project, which aims to remove 54 small houses destroyed by the 2015 earthquakes and rebuild them as heritage buildings, is likely to start soon at Kilagal in Kathmandu.

An agreement to this effect among house owners, Kathmandu Metropolitan City and National Reconstruction Authority is expected soon.

The majority of houses in the area are built in less than one aana (342.25 sq feet) land and are more than 100 years old. Of the 54 buildings in the area,  people are residing in only three houses now. More than 104 families residing in the 54 houses were displaced after the 2015 earthquakes.

Ancient Monument Conservation Act states that buildings older than 100 years have archaeological value and hence should be protected.

KMC heritage department chief Indraman Singh Suwal said, “All stakeholders are positive about the project. We might reach a tripartite agreement within a couple of weeks. We are currently discussing the kind of support KMC and National Reconstruction Authority can provide to the project.”

Locals of the area had been demanding that the government support reconstruction of their houses.

Macha Raja Maharjan, one of the initiators of the house pooling campaign, said, “The houses built under the project will retain typical Newari architecture. It’s an opportunity for the government to turn a wrecked settlement into a model heritage settlement.”

The house pooling project envisions making the area a major tourist attraction. House owners will have to run traditional business or demonstrate living heritage related to their culture such as  craft, music, dance and food.

According to a source, the NRA is likely to construct roads in the area and provide some financial support to the project.

Similarly, KMC is expected to provide administrative support such as preparing the blue print of the settlement and ensuring water and electricity supply to the area. The bodies are also likely to provide an interest-free loan of Rs 500,000 and Rs 2.5 million at two per cent interest rate.