KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai has claimed that the earthquake-damaged cultural and religious heritages would be reconstructed within two years.

Inaugurating the construction of Narayan Chatubyuha Temple’s entrance gate on the Narayanhiti palace museum premises today, Minster Bhattarai said reconstruction of over 500 out of 1000 earthquake-damaged heritage has been carried out and the remaining structures would be rebuilt within the coming two years.

Noting that the reconstruction of most of the structures such as Ranipokhari, Durbar High School, Patan, and Pashupati area has been so far accomplished, he further shared that the reconstruction of 18 out of 22-storeyed Dharahara has been completed.

Former Minister and Nepali Congress youth leader Gagan Thapa demanded the government take initiative to preserve seven hundred-year antique buildings located around Nagpokhari of Kathmandu.

He urged the government to develop a package of various archeological cultural heritages from Pashupati to Narayanhiti palace in course of the conservation.