By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec. 9: Reconstruction work of Kasthamandap, the centuries-old resting place which was razed to the ground in 2015 earthquake, is going on smoothly in recent days, with work on its third and final floor now completed.
“We have recently completed erection process of 20 pillars in the third floor as well as the pinnacle,” said Gautam Dangol, secretary of the Kasthamandap Reconstruction Committee (KRC).
“We have been facing shortage of logs because the committee has not imported them since the start of nationwide lockdown,” said Dangol, adding that the Timber Corporation of Nepal had been delaying its supply, citing lengthy administrative process.
He further said that the Corporation had not supplied logs at times even before the lockdown.
KRC has stated that Rs. 69 million was spent and 6,102 cubic feet of timber was used so far in the reconstruction of the historical monument.
The committee has estimated that 13,000 cubic feet of timber is needed to re-build the three-storey public shelter. Of the total, 1,000 cubic feet wood was brought from the Mahakali Irrigation Project, in Sudurpashchim State.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) had provided over Rs. 100 million for the work last fiscal year. KMC, along with Department of Archaeology (DoA), has estimated the reconstruction cost at Rs. 198.8 million.
The Committee, on the other hand, estimated that reconstruction works would be completed in less amount than that, in between Rs. 130 to 150 million.
About 75 percent of the work on the historic public shelter has been completed so far.
While the major works have been completed, the minor ones, including wooden works remain due to the lack of timber.
In recent days, around 20 to 25 labourers have been working at the reconstruction site near Hanumandhoka Police Circle to rebuild the 7th-century landmark.