KATHMANDU: Reconstruction of the historic monument Ranipokhari located at the heart of the federal capital has been expedited to meet the mid-May 2020 deadline.
Works like laying black soil, constructing the wall and rebuilding the Balgopaleshwar temple situated in the middle of the pond are moving ahead in a speedy manner at present.
The reconstruction works have gained momentum after the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) was given the responsibility of reconstructing this heritage site which was completely destroyed by the Gorkha Earthquake in April 2015.
Reconstruction of various structures at this site including the Balgopaleshwar temple were delayed by three years due to the confusion as to which authority among the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the Department of Archaeology and NRA should undertake the reconstruction of this historical heritage site.
The NRA has stated that the works of constructing the wall around the pond and laying black soil on the bed of the pond will be completed by January 14, 2020.
Reconstruction of the Balgopaleshwar temple is also expedited. Twenty percent of reconstruction of the temple has been completed and wood works of the temple are underway currently. Similarly, it is said 85 percent construction of the wall has been completed while 40 percent works on the pond have been over.
Heritage expert at NRA, Rajuman Manandhar said the people will be able to see the Ranipokhari in its previous form by the middle of May 2020. “Many works have been completed and the remaining works of reconstruction are also going ahead rapidly. So, we are confident the reconstruction would be completed within the stipulated time,” he asserted.
NRA has awarded the contract for reconstruction of the Balgopaleshwar temple to the CR Tulasi Construction JV. The contract term is 10 months from the date of signing of the contract. It was signed on July 9, 2019. The temple has to be reconstructed in its original granthakut’ shikhar architectural style.
The Authority has allocated Rs 99.7 million for the reconstruction of Ranipokhari. It has earmarked Rs 250 million for the reconstruction of the pond and the temple.
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