Govt announces three-tier reconstruction and recovery plan

Kathmandu, July 8, 2015: 

• Three-tier reconstruction and recovery plan
• Application of quake resistant technology in the reconstruction of damaged structure
• Integrated settlement with livelihood opportunities and market access
• Long-term master plan for the Kathmandu Valley
• Smart city master plan for the Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini and Nijgadh
• Government and private investment for reconstruction works

The policy and programmes for the coming fiscal year 2015-16, presented by President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav in the legislative-parliament Wednesday, has envisioned three tire reconstruction and recovery plan in order to bail out the country from the catastrophe of the devastating earthquake of April 25.

“After assessing the damages caused by the April 25 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, immediate, medium term and long term work plan will be developed and it will be implemented effectively,” read the paper.

As Nepal is in the seismic zone, necessary policy and institutional arrangements would be made for the disaster risk reduction. Such arrangements would be implemented all over the country.

Presenting the policy and programmes, Dr. Yadav said, “Quake damaged government buildings and residences, schools, health centres, drinking water, road, electricity, industrial enterprises and local agencies will be reconstructed or repaired applying earthquake resistant technology in order to recommence their services at the earliest.”

The government has planned integrated settlement with livelihood opportunities and market access for the worst quake-hit districts.

“To aid the safe and sustainable settlements and township expansion, risk sensitive land-use plan will be prepared for the Kathmandu Valley and other districts and implemented as soon as possible,” Dr. Yadav read from the paper.

“Long-term master plan will be formulated and implemented for the integrated physical development and management of the Kathmandu Valley. Parks and gardens will be constructed in the major cities across the nation,” he further said.

National building code 2060 BS will be reviewed and implemented in all the municipalities.

The government will also formulate smart city master plan for the Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini, Nijgadh and other quake-affected districts. Damak of Jhapa and Kohalpur of Banke will be developed as green cities.

Twelve model cities – Surkhet, Pyuthan and ten along the mid-hill highway – will be developed.

The People Housing Programme which was targeted to the marginalized, poor, underprivileged and endangered ethnic groups will be made more gender-friendly and inclusive.

Likewise, the disaster management capacity of the security agencies – the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force - will be enhanced so as to cope with the calamities in the days to come.

Similarly, the tourism sector will be revived as it was prior to the quake. The damaged historical, cultural and religious heritages will be reconstructed, preserved and developed as attractive and safe tourism destinations.

According to the policy and programmes, a campaign for retrofitting the Public and private structures without earthquake resistant measures will be launched. In order to complete the reconstruction works, government and private investment will be used. Domestic products and raw materials will be given priority while carrying out the reconstruction works.

Youth Vision 2025 will be implemented. Trainings will be organized for the youth of quake affected districts in order to make them skillful.

rman of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Kishor Thapa, former secretary of Government of Nepal also put forth their views in the programme.