KATHMANDU, JANUARY 6

Namgya Khampa, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of India in Nepal, met Shushil Gyawali, chief executive officer of National Reconstruction Authority, today and discussed various reconstruction projects assisted by the Government of India.

On the occasion, she handed over a cheque worth Rs 306.6 million for the reconstruction of educational institutions in earthquake affected districts of Nepal. With this cheque handover, India has reimbursed an amount of Rs 819.8 million to the Government of Nepal for educational sector reconstruction projects, said a press release issued by the embassy.

Under India’s committed grant assistance of USD 50 million for reconstruction of educational institutions in Nepal, 71 projects have presently been taken up by NRA, including the Central Library building of Tribhuvan University. Other projects are located in Gorkha, Nuwakot, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Kavre, Dhading, and Sindhupalchowk districts.

While three schools in Gorkha and five in Nuwakot have been completed, construction of 56 schools in five districts is under way and seven schools are in the final stage of contract awarding.

During the meeting, progress of various Government of India-funded reconstruction projects in housing, health and cultural heritage sectors were also discussed. India has committed USD 150 million for reconstruction of 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, USD 50 million for reconstruction of 147 hospitals/health posts in 10 districts and another USD 50 million for restoration/reconstruction of 28 cultural heritage sites in eight districts of Nepal.

According to the release, DCM Khampa reiterated continued commitment of the Government of India to work with the Government of Nepal towards its reconstruction efforts, thereby complementing efforts of the government and people of Nepal in post-earthquake recovery.