Kathmandu: Budget is earmarked to expedite reconstruction of earth quake damaged heritage sites in the country. The budget released by National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) comes to around total Rs 120 million. The budget is allocated to conduct study on six sites – three within the Kathmandu valley and three outside the valley. Similarly, Rs 300 million is earmarked for the reconstruction of the sites, according to the Central Project Implementation Unit.

The 7.8 magnitude Gorkha Earthquake on April 25, 2015 had damaged several monuments and settlements of historical and archeological significance in and outside the Kathmandu valley. Delays in their reconstruction, retrofitting and renovation were attributed to the lack of budget, artisans and lack of coordination among the concerned bodies.

To carry out study, Rs 2 million has been spared for each heritage settlement, said Project Director, Nawaraj Pyakurel. In the first phase, Rs 50 million will be released to reconstruct or renovate each quake-damaged heritage within the current fiscal year.

Reconstruction of heritage settlements, monuments and other archeological structures in Khokana (Lalitpur), Bungmati (Lalitpur) and Sankhu (Kathmandu) in the valley would be prompted as soon as the budget is released.

Similarly, budget will be released for the reconstruction of the Seven-storey Durbar at Nuwakot, the Gorkha Durbar in Gorkha district and Dolakha Bazar in Dolakha district that houses Bhimeshwor Mandir – all lying outside the valley.

Likewise, research and development works will be conducted in the Pashupati Area, Changunarayam Temple Area, Swayambhunath Area and Bouddha Area upon the allocation of budget. The Durbar Square Areas in all three districts in Kathmandu valley – Kathmandu Lalitpur and Bhaktapur – would be conserved and promoted under this project.