KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 23
The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has been formally handed over today to the designated bodies as per the decision of the Nepal government.
The NRA ceases to exist from today, handing over the remaining responsibilities and capital to the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
In the presence of Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, Secretary Sushil Chandra Tiwari handed over a file including documents related to major structures reconstructed, including Dharahara, Singha Durbar, Ranipokhari, Shantibatika, among others, to Urban Development Ministry Secretary Maniram Gelal.
Likewise, the remaining works for reconstruction and rehabilitation, legal and policy arrangements, implementation of decisions and orders received from the Appeal Committee and coordination related to facilitation and monitoring were handed over to the NDRRMA.
The NRA chief executive Sushil Gyewali handed over the file to Chief Executive Officer of NDRRMA Anil Pokharel and formally handed over the charge to the authority.
NRA was established for reconstruction and rehabilitation after the Gorkha Earthquake of April 2015.
The government of Nepal had extended the term by one year last year due to non-fulfilment of responsibilities.
The extended period is coming to an end on December 26.
On the occasion, CEO Gyewali claimed that the NRA had succeeded in fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to it by the government during the challenging times with the help of the general public.
According to NRA, reconstruction of 92 per cent of private housing, 85 per cent of archaeological sites and 92 per cent of government buildings have been completed so far. Educational buildings completion rate is 85 per cent, health institution is 80 per cent and integrated settlement is 60 per cent. The reconstruction of buildings of the security forces has been completed 100 per cent.
Also speaking on the occasion, Home Minister Khand said that the NRA has accomplished important milestones in rebuilding the structures damaged by the 2015 earthquake.
He also thanked the NRA for diligently completing the reconstruction of structures of archaeological importance damaged by the earthquake.
"Reconstruction-related data and work will be useful for researchers around the world."
He said that the NDRRMA will finalise the remaining technical and administrative work of the authority.
A version of this article appears in the print on December 24, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
