Trishuli (Nuwakot), September 11
The Chinese government has intensified efforts to reconstruct earthquake-damaged religious and archaeological heritage sites, including the Sattale (seven-storey) Palace in Nuwakot. The reconstruction was entrusted to China following the earthquake that occurred nine years ago.
Bidur Municipality Mayor Rajan Shrestha stated that the Chinese side is now set to resume regular work. In response to their requirements, access roads have been arranged for the transport of construction materials to the palace area, along with a reliable electricity supply, a construction material storage site, and a water supply system.
Nepal and China had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the reconstruction of eight religious and archaeological structures in Nuwakot, including the seven-storey palace. According to the agreement, the first phase will involve the reconstruction and retrofitting of the seven-storey palace, the security home, and Rangamahal within the palace premises.
In the second phase, the temples of Taleju (Tulja Bhawani), Setopati, Lampati, and the Vishnu and Narayan temples from the Licchavi period will be rebuilt.
Sunil Poudel, Chief of the Nuwakot Palace Maintenance Office, assured that the original structure will be preserved during the reconstruction process.
As per the agreement signed in early 2019, the Chinese government was tasked with completing the reconstruction, including the palace, within 45 months. The Chinese team initially arrived at the site in the same year to begin the rebuilding process. However, after taking measures to prevent further damage, they returned to China to celebrate the New Year.
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, the team did not return to resume work for three years. In the meantime, a Chinese technical team revisited the site and completed retrofitting the seven-storey palace.
