By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Aug. 15: Almost 70 per cent reconstruction of Kasthamandap, the three-storied historic public shelter of Basantapur, has completed, according to the Kasthamandap Reconstruction Committee (KRC). The reconstruction work that was obstructed for several reasons in the past is now moving in its second floor at a slow pace because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The process of erecting four central pillars and four central beams of the second floor has completed. Major works on its ground floor has completed, leaving minor wooden works incomplete in lack of suitable wood, said Gautam Dangol, secretary of the KRC.
“We are facing a shortage of logs in recent days, and the committee has not imported wood with the enforcement of the nationwide lockdown, he said.
The reconstruction process of the wooden structures is now moving at snail’s pace after the nationwide lockdown and in lack of sufficient manpower and wood, said Dangol.
The shelter is being reconstructed by applying traditional techniques. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has provided Rs. 50.5 million for the reconstruction of the Malla-era shelter.
The Department of Archaeology (DoA) has estimated its reconstruction cost at Rs. 198.8 million.
Currently, around 17 to 20 labourers are working at the reconstruction site and the old Hanumandhoka Police Circle of Hanumandhoka to rebuild the 7th century monuments, he said.
The second floor is divided into three layers which require wooden posts of different sizes.