Indian Embassy hands over Rs 306.6 million to NRA for reconstruction of earthquake-affected schools

KATHMANDU: Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India Namgya Khampa met CEO of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Shushil Gyawali today and discussed various Government of India assisted reconstruction projects.

She handed over a cheque of NRs 306.6 million towards the reconstruction of educational institutions in earthquake-affected districts of Nepal.

With this cheque handover, India has reimbursed an amount of NRs 819.8 million to the Government of Nepal towards educational sector reconstruction projects, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a statement.

Under India’s commitment to grant assistance of US $ 50 million towards the reconstruction of educational institutions in Nepal, 71 projects have presently been taken up by NRA.

They include the Central Library building of Tribhuvan University. These projects are located in Gorkha, Nuwakot, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Kavre, Dhading, and Sindhupalchowk districts of Nepal.

While three schools in Gorkha and five in Nuwakot have been completed, construction of 56 schools in five districts is underway and seven schools are in the final stage of award of contract.

During the meeting, the progress of various Government of India funded reconstruction projects in Housing, Health and Cultural Heritage sector were also discussed.

India has committed the US $ 150 million towards the reconstruction of 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, US $ 50 million for the reconstruction of 147 hospitals/health posts in 10 districts, and another US $ 50 million for restoration/reconstruction of 28 cultural heritage sites in 8 districts of Nepal.

While housing sector projects are nearly completed and handed over to beneficiaries, projects in Education, Health, and Cultural Heritage sectors are at various stages of active implementation.

DCM reiterated the continued commitment of the Government of India to work with the Government of Nepal towards its reconstruction efforts, thereby complementing the efforts of the Government and the people of Nepal in post-earthquake recovery.