Dharahara reconstruction to begin in Nov 2017

In Picture: Ruins: Dharahara was one of the monuments that collapsed in the April 25 earthquake.

Kathmandu, July 7, 2016: An immediate action plan developed by the government has set the target of starting reconstruction of the historical Dharahara by November 2017.

According to a 24-point action plan provided to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, the process for procuring land has already been completed and initial design of Dharahara will be drawn up by the end of July.

“Collection of voluntary donation will last till July to collect the fund before completion of its detailed engineering design. A tender will be called within September and construction works will be begin from November 2017,” reads the action plan.

Tne NRA will lead the construction works with participation of the Department of Archaelogy, Ministry of Information and Communications, Nepal Rastra Bank, Council of Ministers and Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

The government will collect donations from its employees and Nepali citizens to rebuild Dharahara, also known as Bhimsen Tower, which came crashing down on April 25, 2015 after a devastating earthquake.

Earlier, it had appealed to the general public and government employees to contribute to the fund under the ‘I Will Build My Dharahara Myself’ campaign announced by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on February 16.

The iconic monument will be reconstructed in tribute to those who lost their lives in the quakes of April and May. The names of all those who died during the quakes will be inscribed on it, said an OPMCM official.

The new Dharahara will have a façade similar to the old structure. However, it will be built using modern construction materials, will have underground three-storey parking facility and will be over 203-feet high.

The Department of Archaeology will be the implementing agency in reconstruction of heritage sites. The 225-feet Bhimsen Tower was built in 1825 by the first prime minister of Nepal Bhimsen Thapa.

It was partially damaged by the massive earthquake of 1934.