What Is the Status of Reconstruction for Structures Damaged in the Gen Z Movement?
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock
It has been nearly a year since the youth movement was forcibly suppressed, during which many critical structures were destroyed by gunfire and arson.
Structures such as the President’s residence, Parliament, and the Supreme Court, which were destroyed on Bhadra 24 (Nepali calendar), have still not been reconstructed. While the Prime Minister’s Office continues to operate from the Home Ministry building, the Home Ministry operates out of the new Attorney General’s building.
The reconstruction of the international conference center, rented by Parliament, remains disorganized. The Federal Secretariat Construction and Management Office, along with the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, have yet to award contracts for the reconstruction of many other damaged structures.
New buildings under construction have seen budget cuts for the Supreme Court and Parliament Secretariat, which has further stalled progress.
Govindraj Pokharel, head of post-earthquake reconstruction, admits that reconstruction following the Gen Z movement has been unsatisfactory.
“The private sector has already compensated for its damages, but government structures such as Singha Durbar and the President’s Office have yet to be rebuilt,” Pokharel stated. “The expected speed of reconstruction has not materialized.”
Pokharel attributes delays in reconstruction to the prevailing political turmoil, severe flooding, and the process of government formation.
2,671 Buildings Suffer Damage Worth NPR 3.931 Billion
Image source, Reuters
According to the National Planning Commission’s report, 2,671 buildings were damaged by arson and vandalism during the protests on Bhadra 23 and 24.
Physical damage during the movement amounted to NPR 8.4577 billion, representing 1.38% of Nepal’s gross domestic product and 4.30% of the annual financial budget.
Out of total damage, 53% was in the government sector, 40% in private sectors, and 7% in community sectors. Furthermore, 79.8% of the damage occurred in public buildings.
During the Gen Z movement, building damage alone amounted to NPR 3.93175 billion. Vehicles suffered damages of NPR 1.29361 billion, with 8,430 government vehicles either destroyed or set on fire.
Vehicles burnt in the Singha Durbar complex are currently stored at the New Baneshwor International Conference Centre. Experts suggest that this conference center should be rebuilt, but there is currently no budget available for this.
Other physical assets suffered damages worth NPR 2.0364 billion, while cash and valuables amounted to losses of NPR 281.34 million.
Temporary and private properties were damaged to the extent of NPR 902.67 million.
The federal government suffered the majority of the damages. The federal, provincial, and local governments reported damages to 1,120, 309, and 705 buildings respectively.
Private and community sectors lost 537 homes, totaling 2,671 damaged buildings. The Bhat-Bhateni supermarket chain endured the most damage.
Most Bhat-Bhateni buildings and stores have now been rebuilt, and the main branch in Kathmandu is scheduled to reopen in a few weeks.
Image source, BBC/Ashok Dahal
Party offices, hotels, and media houses targeted during the protests still remain unreconstructed.
Among the most damaged were buildings costing between NPR 10 million and NPR 100 million, totaling 1,114 buildings or 42% of the total.
According to a report prepared in Mangsir, 34% of buildings are under repair, 18.5% have completed repairs, but 48% have yet to begin any restoration work, indicating a significant amount of work remains.
The report also highlights the theft and vandalism of valuable metals such as gold, silver, diamonds, and pearls during the protests.
On Bhadra 24, there were reported cases of cash and precious metal theft from New Baneshwor, National Commercial Bank, and homes of prominent leaders and businessmen.
Where is Reconstruction Currently Underway?
Image source, BBC/Ashok Dahal
Chakravarti Kantha, head of the Federal Secretariat Construction and Management Office, reveals that the reinforcement work on the eastern and southern sections of Singha Durbar is nearing completion.
On the west side, the Rana-era building blueprint has been submitted to the Department of Archaeology for approval, and contracts will only be issued once approved.
The design for renovating the President’s Office (Sheetal Niwas) has been sent to the Department of Archaeology.
Contracts for the reconstruction of the Home and Health Ministry buildings are still pending, while minor damages to buildings in the Education Ministry have already been repaired.
Strengthening work is underway on the old building of the Supreme Court as well.
Reconstruction of ministerial residences in Banasepati within Singha Durbar has started, with plans to complete most Minister Quarters by late Ashoj (mid-November).
“Fifty percent of the reconstruction is complete, with the remaining work focused on areas with extensive damage,” Kantha explained.
According to Prakash Aryal, Deputy Director General of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, reconstruction efforts have begun in offices under provincial and local governments as well.
Of the 117 buildings with minor damage, reconstruction of 105 has been completed. Among 83 partly damaged buildings, contracts for 50 have been awarded, with half of them already restored.
The Kathmandu District Court and Damak View Towers are also in the final stages of reconstruction.
Budgets have been approved for the Godawari Conference Centre and Babarmahal Road Department building, and contract preparation is underway.
Estimated Cost: NPR 1.998 Billion
The total estimated expense for rebuilding government buildings, vehicles, and physical assets is NPR 3.63021 billion, of which NPR 1.99898 billion is allocated solely for building reconstruction.
So far, only NPR 320 million has been spent, with the remaining budget coming from federal secretariat, provincial, and local government funds.
Deputy Director General Aryal maintains that despite a lower budget allocation, reconstruction could still be completed.
The budgeting process has not been revised, leading to delays in new contract procedures. Although the Ministry of Finance announced plans to allocate NPR 600 million, the Finance Minister did not make a separate declaration during the budget speech.
Finance Minister Bagale had previously expressed a commitment to prioritize reconstruction of buildings damaged in the Gen Z movement.
However, due to the absence of allocated budget, new contracts and reconstruction work have not progressed.
“Work has been omitted during ministry coordination, and contractors are seeking guarantees, which is causing delays,” Aryal explained.
The flood caused by the Bhotekoshi River on Bhadra 10 has added further complications to the reconstruction process.
Pokharel noted that the flooding has impacted these economic sectors, and the government needs to provide tax relief to encourage reconstruction and private sector revival in the coming two to three years.
The report estimates NPR 618 million will be needed for repairing or replacing burnt vehicles, and NPR 1.0142 billion for restoring other physical assets.
Can Reconstruction be Completed Within Three Years?
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock
The National Planning Commission has recommended prioritizing highly damaged structures and completing their reconstruction within three years.
Ravilal Panth, member secretary of the commission, stated there is a plan to complete reconstruction for all damaged structures within three years.
“The authorities directly involved in reconstruction will have the best knowledge of the progress,” Panth added.
The commission’s timeline projects minor repairs completed within three months, partial repairs within a year, and full reconstruction within three years.
However, former reconstruction head Pokharel warned that political developments could delay reconstruction timelines.
“Considering economic realities, it will take time before government restructuring, relief distribution, and private sector promotion can be effectively undertaken,” he said.
Pokharel also emphasized the need to make future structures fire-resistant and vandalism-proof, learning from past experiences.
The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction acknowledges that delayed contract procedures pose challenges to completing work within three years.
“It will be difficult to complete new constructions in three years, but reinforcement work on existing buildings could be finished in about one year,” Aryal stated.