• Project includes a park with resting places, badminton and basketball courts, fitness equipment

Kathmandu, July 4

Kathmandu Metropolitan City launched the reconstruction of Kamal Pokhari, amid a function organised today.

KMC Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya, Deputy Mayor Hariprabha Khadgi Shrestha and Ward No 3 Chair Bharat Lal Shrestha jointly laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction work. Speaking at the programme, lawmaker Gagan Thapa praised KMC for its initiative towards reviving the past glory of Kamal Pokhari, a historical pond, and urged the metropolis to do the needful for the restoration of historic Naxal Bhagawati temple and Naag Pokhari. He also stressed the need for timely completion of the reconstruction of Kamal Pokhari by holding the contractor responsible and accountable to the project.

Mayor Shakya said the metropolis had emphasised the linkage between reconstruction of heritage sites and tourism, for their sustainable management. Recently, the government had decided to relocate the office of Metropolitan Police Circle, situated in the vicinity of the pond, to facilitate the reconstruction and preservation of the historic site. A park will be constructed at its vicinity.

Saroj Basnet, vice-chairperson of KMC Urban Planning Commission, said no concrete blocks will be used for the construction of the park. The estimated budget for the reconstruction of the pond with a park stands at Rs. 9.4 million. KMC has awarded the contract of the reconstruction project to Dhananjaya Kandel JV, Ranibari. Deadline for completion of the project is 29 June 2020.

According to KMC, the park will be disabled-friendly and the pond will have a water fountain in the middle.

Deputy Mayor Shrestha said beautification of the pond would add to the glory of Kathmandu as an ancient city of historical importance. “The park will have resting places, badminton and basketball courts and fitness equipment. The reconstruction project was designed by engineers Priyanka Pradhan, Nitesh Shrestha and Prabhat Gautam.