Damauli, April 29

Locals of Laprak, one of places worst hit by last year’s devastating earthquakes, are elated at the prospect of an integrated settlement in their village.

A tripartite agreement regarding this was signed among the National Reconstruction Authority, Ministry of Urban Development and Non Resident Nepali Association at Gupsipakha on April 24 in the presence of President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

NRA joint-secretary and spokesperson Ram Prasad Thapaliya, division chief of Urban Development and Building Construction Division Office Gorkha Shyam Kishor Singh and NRN chairperson Shesh Ghale had signed the agreement paper.

As per the agreement, the settlements that were scattered prior to the earthquakes in Laprak will be shifted to Gupsipakha and merged into one settlement by developing necessary infrastructures.

As per the agreement, the proposed settlement will have all basic facilities such as drinking water, electricity, road, telecommunication, school, open ground and park.

According to Singh, the government has already acquired forest land for the purpose.

“To develop the settlement, the government has acquired 18.68 hectares of forest land from a community forest in Gupsipakha,” he said, adding that the settlement will have a total of 592 households.

According NRA chief Sushil Gyawali, the settlement will be a model settlement. “It’s a good thing that the people of Laprak will now have an integrated settlement,” he said

He added saying, “As per the contract, National Reconstruction Authority will provide Rs 2,50,000 to each family to construct their houses while the government will develop necessary infrastructures in the settlement.”