Kathmandu, January 16
A protracted debate on whether to retro-fit the Sindhadurbar or build a new one by pulling down the old structure has ended finally.
With the 1.5-year debate finally over, there are hopes that reconstruction of the government secretariat will gain pace.
Singhadurbar Reconstruction Secretariat is making final preparations for publishing a tender inviting parties interested in strengthening the government secretariat through retro-fitting. The project is estimated to cost Rs 250 million
The Singhadurbar Reconstruction Secretariat is making final preparations for publishing a tender inviting parties interested in strengthening the government secretariat through retro-fitting. The project is estimated to cost Rs 250 million.
The secretariat had proposed constructing a new building by razing Singhadurbar. The Department of Archaeology disagreed with the proposal, forcing the secretariat to backtrack. Saroj Kayastha, engineer at Singhadurbar Reconstruction Committee, told Onlinekhabar they will issue a tender for Singhadurbar’s retro-fitting this week itself.
The government secretariat was reconstructed after it caught fire about 43 years ago. It again suffered a major damage on May 25, 2015. The Office of the Prime Minister, National Planning Commission Secretariat and Ministry of Defence, among others, have shifted from the old building. Singhadurbar still houses the Ministry of Supplies, National Reconstruction Authority and Karnali Commission, among others.
In a letter written to the Ministry of Urban Development, the archaeology department had urged the ministry to take a decision only after conducting an engineering study to find whether it’s possible to retro-fit Singhadurbar’s western wing, which suffered huge damage in the May 25 quake.
