PM Oli urges for construction of quake-resistant structures; inspects post-quake reconstruction

Kathmandu / Apr 25: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed the need for reconstructing and conserving the heritages in their original styles. PM Oli was saying this during a program organized jointly by National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and Kathmandu Metropolitan City on the occasion of the 4th Earthquake Memorial Day in the capital city on Thursday.

Stating that Nepal was in the quake-prone zone, the PM reiterated the construction of quake-resistant structures. The financial and technical assistance were provided for making the quake resilient structures, he added. “Government has provided grants to ensure that the structures to be built hereafter would be strong. So, the reconstruction must be completed within the slated time,” the PM reminded.

According to him, the heritages, ancient scriptures and purana prove that Nepal is the country of wise people. Nepal was/is never in anyone’s colony. Strong build of the historical places out of the Kathmandu Valley was going on, he said, adding that as Nepal was rich in heritage, the heritages must be preserved. PM Oli urged the NRA to expedite the fulfilment of its duties.

He also expressed thanks to all those who contributed to the reconstructions activities. On the occasion, NRA Chief Executive Officer, Sushil Gyawali, expressed commitment that all structures except the archaeological heritages damaged by the earthquake would be completed within coming 20 months. He shared the information that all seven cultural places of the Kathmandu Valley listed in the World Heritage Site would be constructed in a quake-resistant manner with the formulation of the long term plan. NRA has also brought special programs for 62 settlements of the quakes affected areas. In order to intensify the reconstruction activities, the Procurement Work Procedure would be amended.

KMC Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya also stressed on speeding up the reconstruction works in the city. He added that 32 Wards in the KMC were witnessing reconstruction works but some obstructions created intentionally must be cleared. He expected the support from PM Oli to clear the obstacles. On the occasion, PM Oli inspected Basantapur Durbar Square and Kasthamandap area. He observed the reconstruction tasks with keen interest. PM Oli also inspected the woodcarving laboratory there. The Head of the Government also attended a religious function organized on the Kalbhairav Temple premises in memory of those who were killed in the quake.

Moreover, the PM inaugurated the Shiva Temple that was damaged by the quake. Oli, who was accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, also observed the undergoing reconstruction works of Nasal Chowk, Nine-storey Palace inside the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square. Best Performing Units Feted Local units, Wards and District Project Implementation Unit were feted for their excellent performance in reconstruction. Nawakunda of Rasurwa district, Barpark and Sulikot of Gorkha and Kalinchowk Rural Municipality were feted as the best local units. Likewise, the PM honoured the District Project Implementation Units of Sindhupalchowk, Gorkha, Dolakha, Ramechap and Kavrepalanchwok for their high delivery of the reconstruction works. RSS

PM Oli inspects post-quake reconstruction

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today inspected reconstruction work of Lalit Tripura Sundari Temple at Tripureshwor. Prime Minister Oli, who reached there as artisans were busy carving wood for the archaeological site, inquired about the reconstruction work. He spent around 25 minutes there.

On the occasion, Vice-Chancellor of the Kathmandu University Prof Dr Ram Kantha Makaju and Executive Chief Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority, Sushil Gyawali, briefed the Prime Minister about the reconstruction efforts.

Prime Minister Oli expressed satisfaction over the reconstruction task taking pace. He inspected the ongoing reconstruction with keen interest. Earlier, he was welcomed at the site by musicians playing the traditional naumati and dhime musical instrument.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also carried out the onsite visit of reconstruction work of Bhugolpark and Basantapur area today itself. On the occasion, Reconstruction Project Director Lochan Rijal said a commitment was made to complete the reconstruction task before the PM’s next visit to these areas.

Kathmandu University has been leading the reconstruction work with the objective of using it for research and practice and educate people about it. “If the traditional skills and knowledge are not put into daily use, it will lose its importance. We just want to link the community to the campus,” Rijal said.

Around 30 per cent of the reconstruction work has been completed, which also includes a beautiful garden.

For the whole project, Kathmandu University has contributed Rs 20 million, while Rs 170 million has been received from Thailand through the Government of Nepal. Thai people collected the fund through various campaigns. The project spreads over 15 ropani of land. Dr Rohit Ranjitkar, who designed Patan Durbar Square, has designed the project. Of the 773 cultural heritages damaged in the quake, reconstruction of 224 is underway, and construction of 212 has been over, according to the NRA.