KATHMANDU, JANUARY 10

The National Reconstruction Authority has claimed significant progress in restoring cultural and archaeological heritage sites that were damaged or destroyed in the 2015 earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks.

According to a report recently released by the NRA, out of 920 sites, reconstruction of 465 sites has been completed while the remaining are in the final stages of construction.

Reconstruction of the major monument Ranipokhari has been completed and work is progressing on the 20th floor of Dharahara and two more floors that are expected to be completed soon. Similarly, work is under way at the north, south and eastern facades of the main administrative building of Singha Durbar as the government is planning to shift the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers there by mid-February.

“Reconstruction and retrofitting is in full swing at Babarmahal, Kesharmahal, Bal Mandir and Ranoddwip Durbar and other durbars of archaeological significance within the Narayanhiti Museum area. The masterplan for integrated Tundhikhel, democratic museum, Narayanhiti Museum, Gorkha Durbar, Nuwakot Durbar and seven other archaeological heritage sites are in the approval stage, after which these sites will be developed,” it said.

The NRA said reconstruction of heritage sites was relatively complex and challenging.

Proper consideration had to be given to competent human resources, building materials, preservation of religious and cultural aspects, agreement with local communities, universal standards on heritage, the time required for wood artistry and sculpting.

There has been some progress in the reconstruction of monasteries as well. Out of 1,320 damaged-monasteries, 895 need to be reconstructed while 402 need to be repaired.

Out of these 402 that need to be repaired, 294 have been completed while 108 are being repaired.

Similarly, out of 7,553 schools, reconstruction of 6,085 (81 per cent) schools has been completed while 1,468 (19 per cent) schools are currently under-construction.

The reconstruction of schools is set to be completed within this fiscal.

As for health institutions, out of 1,197 health centres, the reconstruction of 698 health centres has been completed while the rest will be completed within this fiscal year.

“We have made more than 90 per cent progress in the reconstruction of private houses.

Out of 796,245 beneficiaries who have signed agreement for the government grant, 556,487 (70 per cent) beneficiaries have already built their houses while 168,083 (21 per cent) beneficiaries are constructing their houses,” the NRA said.

The total cost required for reconstruction and rehabilitation, as per the five-year plan, is Rs 488 billion. Out of this, Rs 339 billion has been spent through the Government of Nepal and donors.