Reconstruction in Nepal to start in April, a year after quake
16 Jan 2016 4:57 AM IST
Nepal has announced a four-phase plan to rebuild thousands of houses and buildings destroyed in the devastating April 25 quake that would be implemented beginning Saturday.
The National Authority for Reconstruction (NAR), the body formed for rebuilding earthquake-damaged structures, on Wednesday unveiled the post-earthquake reconstruction plan to be executed in the next three months.
Under the first phase, NAR will establish district coordination committees and launch National Reconstruction Mega Campaign from Kathmandu.
The mega campaign will be held on January 16, coinciding with the Earthquake Safety Day, NAR CEO Sushil Gyawali told the body’s first Advisory Council meeting attended by leaders of various political parties.
The second phase of reconstruction-related activities is slated to begin on February 24 during which all policies, regulations and guidelines regarding reconstruction, and strategy for implementation of reconstruction works would be introduced.
Sub-regional offices will also be established in various districts in this phase.
The NAR, that has opened its central office in Kathmandu, is planning to open six sub-regional offices in Dolakha, Kavre, Nuwakot, Gorkha, Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts.
These offices will oversee reconstruction works in 14 districts that were severely hit by the earthquakes of April and May.
One sub-regional office will also be established at a convenient location to oversee reconstruction works in 17 other districts affected by the quakes.
Among others, a separate unit will also be established in government offices concerned of quake-affected districts to facilitate reconstruction works in the second phase.
NAR will introduce the third phase of works on March 25, during which survey of damaged buildings and affected population would be conducted. Gyawali said construction of model residential houses will begin in at least five districts.
The final phase of works will then begin on April 24, exactly a year after the earthquake hit central Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people.
The deadly temblors also completely destroyed around 6,00,000 private houses, affected livelihoods of about 5.6 million workers and caused damage and losses worth around $7 billion. International community has pledged $ 4 billion financial assistance, half of which will be in the form of grants, for the post-quake reconstruction works.
Nepal proposes 4-member EPG to review agreements with India
Ahead of Nepalese Prime Minister K P Oli's maiden visit to India next month, the government has proposed formation of a four-member Eminent Persons' Group to review the existing bilateral agreements with India including the strategic Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950. The government has proposed names of four persons to form the Eminent Persons' Group (EPG), during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday though no formal decision was taken to this effect, minister for Information and Communication Sherdhan Rai said.
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