Handover of Durbar High School building delayed due to COVID-19 crisis

KATHMANDU: The handover of Ranipokhari-based historic Durbar High School (Bhanu Secondary School) building following its post-earthquake reconstruction is still unsure due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Works to rebuild the school were completed before mid-May, but the handover session has got prolonged because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The project wholly funded by the Government of China was undertaken by the Chinese Company Shanghai Construction at a cost of Rs 850 million.

The four-storied new structure which is spread in nine ropanis of land has 40 rooms. It was designed by the China Aviation Planning and Designing Institute.

According to construction manager Rajendra KC, though the project was completed in the 19 months of its commencement, the coronavirus crisis had delayed the handover.

The school was completely damaged by the 2015 April earthquake. The school was established in 1910 BS during the rule of the then Rana ‘s first Prime Minister Junga Bahadur Rana and it was initially for the children of Ranas.

It was in 1964 BS open for common just for the Sanskrit education. The school had launched classes for other subjects in 2048 BS.