Kathmandu, June 14
Last year’s mega quakes ravaged Kathmandu’s historic monuments, apart from killing thousands of people and injuring many others. More than a year later has passed since the disaster, but reconstruction of the ravaged heritage sites has not even begun.
This is because the Department of Archaeology has not given its go-ahead for the reconstruction work, says Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
KMC Spokesperson Gyanendra Karki says: The government has prioritised reconstruction of heritage sites, but the archaeology department has not given its all clear for the same. That’s why reconstruction of monuments has not begun.
He said: The budget for the fiscal 2073-74 has also prioritised reconstruction of heritage sites. Depite this, reconstruction work has not picked up pace. This is a cause for concern.
KMC has been pressing the archaeology department to act fast, but the department has not responded so far. Karki says they will expedite reconstruction work once the department gives its nod. Karki points that a nod from the archaeology department is mandatory before starting reconstruction of heritage sites in Kathmandu metropolis.
For reconstruction of heritage sites in the metropolis, the archaeology department has to prepare designs and budget.
So much so, there’s dispute about reconstruction of KMC’s old building, Bag Durbar. KMC had decided to pull down the old building and construct a similar one.
Karki says KMC has already prepared a design of the new building. But archaeology department is not allowing KMC to raze the old building, forcing KMC to operate by renting a building.
In a letter, the department has told KMC to strengthen the existing building as per the need. It has told KMC not to add new structures and adhere to archaeology and technology of Rana times. KMC has said Bag Durbar does not suit its needs, so it wants to construct a new building to house its office.
In every phase of reconstruction of historic sites, a nod from the department is mandatory. This has delayed reconstruction work.
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